THE LEACHING OF LEAD FROM UNPLASTICISED PVC WATER PIPES

Abstract

The leaching of Lead from UPVC pipes under different temperatures and by different extractants was studied. Lead compounds are added as stabilizers to prevent degradation of PVC at high temperature extrusion. The extractant used were tap water, .carbonate water of low pH and low alkalinity and carbonate water of high pH and high alkalinity. The results show that for tap water and carbonate water of low pH and low alkalinity increase in temperature generally incre- ases the leaching rate. The carbonate water of high pH and high alkalinity also showed increase in leaching rate with increase in temperature. However with further increase in temperature this trend was reversed. On studing different extractants same temperature ranges, maximum leaching was observed in case of carbonate water of low pH and low alkalinity as extractant in all temperature ranges r studied.