Flushing Home Plumbing Pipes Contaminated with Aqueous Film-Forming Foam Containing Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 149, Issue 9
Abstract
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) can be accidentally backflushed into drinking water systems during firefighting operations or at industrial facilities. If this contaminated water enters household plumbing systems, homeowners may need to decontaminate their plumbing. This study examines the persistence of PFAS from AFFF on home plumbing, along with the effects of flushing and stagnation. Two sources of AFFF were investigated, representing older formulations (that contain longer chain PFAS) and newer formulations (that contain shorter chain PFAS). Experiments were conducted in copper, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes with flushing after contamination followed by intermittent flow and periods of stagnation meant to mimic typical household use. Flushing immediately reduced the PFAS concentration in water leaving the pipe by 99.95% to 99.99%. However, PFAS concentration increased after periods of stagnation, corresponding to slow release of adhered PFAS. Flushing may be a valuable part of the decontamination process, but flushing parameters and duration need to be optimized for local conditions.
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Data Availability Statement
All data that supports the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through its Office of Research and Development funded and managed the research described herein under Contract 68HERC19D0009 with Aptim. It has been subjected to the Agency’s review and has been approved for publication. Note that approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views of the Agency. Any mention of trade names, products, or services does not imply an endorsement by the US Government or EPA. The EPA does not endorse any commercial products, services, or enterprises.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 149 • Issue 9 • September 2023
Copyright
© 2023 Published by American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jan 10, 2023
Accepted: May 4, 2023
Published online: Jun 24, 2023
Published in print: Sep 1, 2023
Discussion open until: Nov 24, 2023
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Architectural engineering
- Building systems
- Buildings
- Environmental engineering
- Facilities (by type)
- Flushing
- Industrial facilities
- Infrastructure
- Pipe cleaning
- Pipeline management
- Pipeline systems
- Pipelines
- Pipes
- Plastic pipes
- Plumbing
- Pollution
- Structural engineering
- Structures (by type)
- Waste management
- Waste treatment
- Water pipelines
- Water pollution
- Water treatment
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