Replacing Lead Pipes with PVC Could be Problematic
Experts are concerned about lead water lines being replaced with PVC pipes. There are 9.2 million lead pipes that need to be replaced within the next decade in the United States. The pipes will be replaced with PVC, which is a type of plastic. Experts have found toxic chemicals in these lines that carry water to people’s homes. Some experts believe copper is a better alternative to prevent chemicals from leaching into the water. Around $15 billion has been made available for lead line replacement, but the total cost to replace all lines could be more like $43 billion. This is a step in the right direction, but changes still need to be made more quickly.
Lead was commonly used to connect water mains to buildings, which was later banned in 1986 due to health risks. According to the EPA there is no level of lead exposure that is safe. It can affect growth, behavior, IQ, and more in children and can impact pregnancy by causing early births, damage to developing brains, kidneys, and nervous systems in fetuses. It can also affect cardiovascular health, kidney function, and fertility in adults. There are FDA rules that require utilities to address lead and copper contamination when more than 10 percent or more customers have high levels of either substance.
When replacing water lines, there are options including copper, polyvinyl chloride, and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride. Plastic pipes (polyvinyl chloride and chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) are the cheapest option, but there are risks involved with using them. There are 59 chemicals that can leach from PVC, but there is varying information on the amount a household will encounter and what levels are safe for consumers. Some toxins like vinyl chloride, phthalates, and organotins have been found to leach out of these pipes. There is a chance that in the future, we will regret using PVC pipes to replace lead lines because they could be making a whole new set of problems. There are no requirements in the U.S for new water lines except the pipes need to be lead free. PVC is also problematic because it uses vinyl chloride to make it, which is a known carcinogen. People who live near facilities that make PVC are exposed to the carcinogen, leading to health problems. Copper can corrode, but this happens far less often than lead pipes and there are mitigation measures that can help with corrosion control, so copper is the best option.
Some cities are already prioritizing removing lead-based pipes from their infrastructure. After a few years, Newark, New Jersey replaced more than 20,000 lead service lines with copper. Somerville, Massachusetts is doing something similar. It is replacing all non-copper service lines and is prioritizing lead-based lines first. It is good to see lead water lines being replaced, but maybe PVC is not the best material to replace lead lines due to problems with toxic chemicals.
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