Water contamination with vinyl chloride

What is vinyl chloride?

Vinyl chloride is a chemical compound used primarily in the production of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a plastic widely used in pipes, packaging, coatings, etc. It is a colorless gas at room temperature, which can dissolve in water.

Sources of water contamination:

  1. Industrial spills:

    • Discharges from PVC manufacturing or processing plants.
    • Leaks from storage sites or pipelines containing vinyl chloride.

  2. Groundwater pollution:

    • Old industrial sites or landfills containing chemicals can release vinyl chloride into groundwater.
    • Degradation of chlorinated solvents (such as tetrachlorethylene or trichlorethylene) can produce vinyl chloride.

  3. PVC materials:

    • Improperly installed or old PVC pipes can release vinyl chloride residue into drinking water, although this is rare.

Health effects:

  • Carcinogenicity:
    Vinyl chloride is classified as carcinogenic to humans by the WHO. Prolonged exposure increases the risk of liver cancer, particularly hepatovascular sarcoma.
  • Other effects:
    It can also cause neurological disorders, respiratory problems, or damage to the kidneys and immune system.

Regulations and limits:

  • WHO: Recommended maximum limit of 0.5 µg/L in drinking water.
  • Europe and France: Strict standards are in place to monitor concentrations in water intended for human consumption.

Prevention and treatment:

  1. Monitoring :

    • Water treatment facilities should regularly test for contaminants like vinyl chloride.

  2. Infrastructure replacement:

    • Pipes or tanks that may release vinyl chloride should be replaced with safer materials.

  3. Water filtration:

    • Activated carbon filtration such as Monderma Black filters: This method is particularly effective in removing volatile organic compounds, such as vinyl chloride, by adsorbing them onto the porous surface of the activated carbon.
    • Certified filters: High quality filters, such as filters Coldstream FTO+ or other high density activated carbon filters, are ideal to guarantee optimal purification.
    • Recommended systems: A gravity fountain, such as those of the Monderma or Berkey type, equipped with these filters, constitutes a simple, economical and effective solution for obtaining healthy water free of contaminants.
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