Release of microplastics from polyvinyl chloride pipes: Using accelerated aging by ozonation, chlorination and heating to assess the release potential
Journal
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Journal Volume
13
Journal Issue
6
Start Page
119469
ISSN
22133437
Date Issued
2025-12
Author(s)
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) has been found in drinking water and plastic pipe is an important source. Nevertheless, reported MPs concentrations were mostly from grab samples and the MPs release potentials from plastic pipes experiencing extensive aging have not been evaluated. In this study, accelerated aging using ozonation, chlorination and heating was conducted to evaluate the MPs release potential from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe, one of the most widely used plastic pipe in the distribution system. The MPs release increased with the enhanced aging and the release potential determined in 30 mg O3/L, 260 mg Cl2/L and 80 °C were 1058, 1256 and 1303 particle/L, respectively. The fractions of 10–50 and > 50 µm MPs increased with the increasing chlorine exposure, while the size distribution in ozonation and heating remain relatively constant. Scanning electron microscope images showed that surface pitting and surface peeling were responsible for the release of MPs < 50 µm and > 50 µm, respectively. The surface carbonyl group generally increased as the aging proceeded. This study provides essential insights for the MPs release potentials from PVC pipe under different aging processes and connects the concentration and size distribution of MPs to morphological and chemical changes on pipe surfaces.
Subjects
Aging
Distribution system
Microplastics
PVC pipe
Publisher
Elsevier Ltd
Type
journal article