Submitted by: John Lambert (FG Staff Journalist)

Newswise.com reported that plastic pipes can affect the odor and taste on the water we drink. At the 234th meeting of the American Chemical Society, Andrea Dietrich, Ph.D. reported her findings that plastic pipes can affect the taste and smell to water. Dietrich reported that her panel stated the water had a “fruity plastic” taste. Dietrich noted, “Although water is a complex mixture of organic and inorganic chemicals, most people expect their drinking water to have little or no flavor.”

Dietrich used two methods to test for odors. She had a “Sensory Panel” smell the water that has been sitting in plastic pipes. The panelists described the water of having a “waxy plastic citrus” or “burning plastic” odors. Second, Dietrich had the water tested chemically for metals and other organic materials.

Dietrich did report to the ACS that various styles of plastic piping had different effects. “We found that cPVC has a low odor potential and it doesn’t seem to release many organic chemicals,” Dietrich said. “HPDE actually had the highest odor production, although it didn’t release very many organic materials. The PEX-b pipe had a moderate amount of odors and also a moderate amount of organic chemicals that were released into the air. PEX-a had fewer odors and organics release than the PEX-b pipe.”

When asked about any potential heath affect, Dietrich just answered that is still under investigation and she doesn’t have any answers at this point.

More of this story can be found from Newswise.com