Permeation of organic contaminants through PVC pipes

Abstract

Permeation of benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene (TCE) through polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes from vapor and aqueous phases was investigated using pipe‐bottle tests, gravimetric sorption tests, and microscopic visualization tests. Vapors of the three compounds at saturated vapor pressures were found to permeate 1‐in. PVC pipes within 30 days; saturated aqueous solutions of benzene and TCE also permeated 1‐in. PVC pipes but at breakthrough times ranging from 60 to 240 days, depending on mixing conditions. For PVC pipes exposed to organic vapors that were in equilibrium with ∤ 40% v/v benzene or toluene in National Institute of Standards and Technology reference fuel and to water containing ∤ 60% of the aqueous solubility of benzene and toluene, insignificant sorption and no moving front were detected. Test results suggest that PVC pipe materials are an effective barrier against the permeation of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes in either gasoline vapors or gasoline‐contaminated groundwater at typical contaminated sites.