So many claim there is an environmental problem associated with the use of rigid PVC water pipe. Usually the argument begins with chlorine. They say chlorine is bad. Even Carol Browner, head of the USEPA some years ago said that chlorine, per se, is bad and we should eliminate it.
Would you think with me for a moment about chlorine? It is on the periodic table of elements! God made chlorine - and he does not make bad stuff. There should be a safe use and, of course, a purpose for all the natural elements. We would certainly have difficulty eliminating a naturally occurring element. Think about our own bodies and the requirement for electrolytes - can that happen without salts, NO. So, sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc. CHLORIDES are critical to our survival. Still want to join Ms. Browner in eliminating chlorine? In table salt we see an interesting issue. Both sodium and chlorine by themselves can harm you or even kill you if ingested in relatively small amounts. But the combination of sodium and chlorine into table salt is something quite safe and even necessary to support life.
Think about pharmaceuticals for a moment. A huge percentage of the prescription drugs we take are actually the hydrochloride form of the chemical. You see in the formula the name and then a dot HCl. Yep, chlorine again. The hydrochloride form makes the drug enter your system more quickly because, guess what? -- that same chlorine some want to eliminate is in our gastric juices!
Let's think a moment about PVC pipe. If one uses polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. pipe the base polymer is 100% petroleum derived. PVC is only about half petroleum.
That's right, using PVC saves oil. The chlorine is bound and not harmful to humans. This is pretty good stuff!
The properties of PVC lend it to pipe for drinking water, sewer, electrical conduit, telephone duct, and other uses. The pipe for water and sewer has been in the ground for over 50 years and when inspected looks just as good as the day it was installed (on the inside where the drinking water is). Take a look at some cast iron pipe after fifty years of water service -- it ain't pretty. And remember, the heavy metals in cast iron pipe are getting into your water. These metals include lead, chromium, mercury,cadmium, etc. Cadmium in VERY low levels has been shown to cause heart disease. PVC is looking pretty good, now.
Some are advocating the use of biodegradeable pipes so they won't "harm the earth forever". That is a really unwise advocacy. I want my pipe to last forever carrying my water, waste, wires, etc. precisely so that the environment is not harmed. PVC is virtually non-destructible and is certainly non-biodegradeable.
Thee are other uses for PVC that make it a real workhorse with excellent physical properties and attractive pricing.
Consider the benefits of maintenance free windows - yes, no more painting every few years, yet it looks like wood. Vinyl siding lasts more than fifty years, again, maintenance free except for washing, if needed. Want to wrap something for sale so it does not absorb moisture? PVC is one of the best options for that. It can be clear or opaque. Printable films are a big cost saver today - PVC.
Let's look at real science as opposed to political posturing or scare-mongering when deciding what we should use. Let's do it because we love the earth and ourselves.
Fremsen
