Organic Chemical Contaminants in Water System Infrastructure Following Wildfire

Abstract

Wildfires have destroyed multiple residential communities in California in recent years. After fires in 2017 and 2018, high concentrations of benzene and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were found in public drinking water systems in fire-affected areas. The sources of the contamination and appropriate remediation have been urgent matters of investigation. This study characterizes target and nontarget VOCs and semivolatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in water from a highly contaminated service line after the 2018 Camp Fire (Paradise, CA). Ninety-five organic compounds were identified or tentatively identified in the service line. Laboratory combustion experiments with drinking water pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), cross-linked polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene and a review of the literature were used to evaluate potential sources of the detected chemicals. Among the service line contaminants were 32 compounds associated with PVC pyrolysis and 28 organic compounds also associated with the pyrolysis of polyethylene. The service line sample also contained 55 compounds associated with uncontrolled burning of biomass and waste materials. The findings support hypotheses that wildfires can contaminate drinking water systems both by thermal damage to plastic pipes and intrusion of smoke. Residual chlorine disinfectants in the water system modify the contaminant distribution observed.

Divergent Forms of Pyroplastic: Lessons Learned from the M/V X-Press Pearl Ship Fire

“…Thermally altered (orange), partially combusted (gray), and burnt plastic can enter the marine environment not only from a maritime accident like that of the M/V X-Press Pearl but from more frequent open burning of waste and forest fires. Only recently has pyroplastic been reported on beaches likely because of its camouflaged appearance rather than its absence. − Such a material likely arises from the open burning of an estimated 970 million tons of plastic-containing waste each year. , Similarly, natural disasters, especially wildfires, can be another source of pyroplastic entering the environment. − Forms of plastic like those from the X-Press Pearl are likely produced from these actions, and remnants of this material can then make their way into the environment along the same paths as other mismanaged waste . The environmental uncertainties concerning the spilled plastic from the X-Press Pearl accident also apply to divergent forms of pyroplastics globally.…”

Degradation of Model Compounds by 1O2-Generating Photosensitizer–Doped Membranes

“…Developing new processes to remove organic contaminants from water sources to improve water quality will address global environmental concerns. − Chlorine is used typically in water treatment facilities as the last disinfection step before returning water to the environment . The use of chlorine presents its own concerns, most notably as it generates disinfection byproducts, for example trihalomethanes. Long-term exposure to trihalomethanes can lead to severe health issues, such as reproductive problems, cancer, congenital infirmities in children, and complicated disturbances in aquatic life. − Alternatives to chlorine, which reduce or completely eliminate its use, are therefore of importance.…”

“…Developing new processes to remove organic contaminants from water sources to improve water quality will address global environmental concerns. − Chlorine is used typically in water treatment facilities as the last disinfection step before returning water to the environment . The use of chlorine presents its own concerns, most notably as it generates disinfection byproducts, for example trihalomethanes.…”

MoS2 Defect Healing for High-Performance Chemical Sensing of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons

“…This monitoring can take place via the identification and quantification of trace concentrations of toxic heavy elements and molecular contaminants. 5 Among all the possible pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a potential cause of serious health problems, such as red blood cells damage leading to anemia, suppressed immune system, developmental and reproductive effects, and cancer. 6−8 Because of this reason, their maximum concentration in drinking water has been set to 0.2 ppb.…”

“…The contamination of soil, water sources, and air, resulting from the rapid industrial development and the growing world population, has become a major worldwide concern. − Fast and precise sensors for air and water quality monitoring are required for tracking the activity of power plants and the oil and gas industries, with a specific focus on their impact on nature. This monitoring can take place via the identification and quantification of trace concentrations of toxic heavy elements and molecular contaminants . Among all the possible pollutants, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been identified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a potential cause of serious health problems, such as red blood cells damage leading to anemia, suppressed immune system, developmental and reproductive effects, and cancer. − Because of this reason, their maximum concentration in drinking water has been set to 0.2 ppb.…”