[SustainableTompkins] Join the PVC Day of Action Oct. 11th!

[Joel and Sarah Gagnon]

Polybutylene and polyethylene are both better choices for potable water, if 
you are going to use plastic at all. PVC has replaced fiber-cement (made 
with asbestos) in municipal supply piping, though, so the leaching concern 
you raise should be something we all pay attention to. If leaching is 
prevalent, I have to wonder if there is an environmental concern even in 
the use of PCV in drain piping. The use of lead in such piping is the 
source of most of the lead in sewage sludge, so there is plenty of 
precedent for not thinking about the downstream hazards.

Joel

At 01:19 AM 9/9/06 -0400, you wrote:
>
>Ruth Richardson, a Cornell prof, is conducting research on the migration of
>chemicals from PVC pipe into drinking water.  I agreed to be in her study
>this summer.  We replaced ancient lead pipes in our house back in the 
>early  80s
>with PVC.
>
>My house was one of two in her study that tested at the EPA limits for  vinyl
>chloride in drinking water.  They just took more samples yesterday to
>confirm.  I've always let the tap run for a bit in the morning 
>before  drinking, but
>I think now I'll make sure it runs longer to clear the  line when the water
>has had time to accumulate any leachate.   Meanwhile, I'll have to look into
>what I can use to replace the incoming  pipe.  She said there was an
>alternative, but I've forgotten it now.
>
>I know there is a national campaign to get PVC out of hospitals (and
>phthalates as well).
>
>Gay
>
>
>In a message dated 9/6/2006 12:10:32 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
>joel.and.sarah.gagnon at lightlink.com writes:
>
>What do  they propose to substitute for PVC in drain, waste, and vent
>piping? Also,  to my knowledge, all electrical wiring uses PVC insulation
>and sheathing.  Does an alternative even exist?
>
>Joel
>
>
>
>
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