A recent study has exposed the presence of harmful chemicals from plumbing seals infiltrating our drinking water supply.
A report from the American Chemical Society, shared by Phys.org, tells us that these chemicals, commonly used in tires and household devices, can also transform into even more concerning byproducts.
The Unseen Threat in Our Water
The rubber seals within several plumbing devices come into contact with drinking water as it runs through the pipes before it finally reaches your glass.
These seals contain additives, which make them flexible and durable. However, according to a study published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, these seemingly innocuous compounds can contaminate our drinking water.
The study, led by researchers Shane Snyder and Mauricius Marques dos Santos, found that these rubber additives can react with disinfectants in our drinking water, generating a variety of chlorinated compounds. Some of these compounds could potentially damage DNA, posing a health risk.
The Chemical Culprits
The chemicals under scrutiny include 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG) and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine (6PPD), typically used in the manufacturing of rubber products, such as tires.
These chemicals, along with their altered forms, were found in the tap water samples collected from 20 different buildings in a pilot study.
Perhaps most alarmingly, DPG and one of its chlorinated byproducts were detected in all samples, marking the first-ever report of chlorinated DPG byproducts in drinking water.
Meanwhile, 6PPD and two other chlorine-containing compounds were found in fewer than five samples, highlighting the pervasive presence of these chemicals.
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The Role of Plumbing Fixtures
To pinpoint the source of these chemicals, the research team conducted experiments on rubber O-rings and gaskets from various commercial devices, including faucet aerators and connection seals.
Shockingly, most of these seals, except silicone-based ones, released DPG and 6PPD additives when exposed to water, with or without chlorinated disinfectants.
Moreover, plumbing fixtures immersed in disinfectant-treated water generated chlorinated forms of DPG, mirroring the levels observed in the drinking water samples.
This leads the researchers to conclude that plumbing seals are a potential source of human exposure to these harmful compounds.
Regulation and Health Concerns
The concerning aspect is that these compounds are not currently regulated. This revelation prompts a critical question: What are the health implications of long-term exposure to these unregulated chemicals in our drinking water?
The measured levels of these polymer additives were found at parts per trillion in every tap water sample, a potentially concerning figure based on previous studies involving human cell bioassays.
While the health risks are not yet fully understood, chlorinated byproducts, including those never before detected in drinking water, cause heightened scrutiny.
It is also important to note that a significant proportion of the United States tap water supply, specifically no less than 45%, contains one or more variants of per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS)
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