Effect of solar radiation on the migration of vinyl chloride monomer from unplasticized PVC pipes

Muhammad H. Al-Malack*, Sami Y. Sheikheldin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

28 Scopus citations

Abstract

The effect of direct exposure to solar radiation on the migration of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) from unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) pipes was investigated using locally manufactured and imported pipes. Specimens 33 cm long were used throughout the research. The investigation was carried out, at different times of exposure, by exposing one part of the specimens to the direct sunlight, while keeping the other part in the shade. The VCM concentration in the water was evaluated using the gas chromatography (GC)/head-space technique. A VCM concentration of 2.5 μg/l was detected after 30 days of exposure in direct sunlight. The original initial VCM concentration in the uPVC was predicted, and the diffusion rate of VCM from uPVC pipes was expressed as a function of time.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3283-3290
Number of pages8
JournalWater Research
Volume35
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to thank the Research Institute of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (Dhahran, Saudi Arabia) for funding the current research and for the technical assistance provided during the preparation of the manuscript.

Keywords

  • Diffusion rate of VCM
  • Effect of sunlight
  • Migration of VCM
  • Unplasticized PVC pipes
  • Vinyl chloride monomer

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Ecological Modeling
  • Water Science and Technology
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Pollution

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