A frightening investigative report from USA Today reveals a new and unregulated process for repairing water pipes has sickened dozens of people. The method involves lining damaged water pipes with a resin soaked insert and curing it in place. The resin is hardened by using heat, steam or UV light. Chemical pollution released during the curing step includes styrene, an irritant and probable carcinogen.
Volatile organic compounds released during the heating process can escape as a chemical plume traveling out of the manholes and through the lateral connections linking the main pipe to the properties it serves. Inside that plume can lurk styrene, benzene, methylene chloride and phenol, along with bits of uncured resin, partially cured plastic and hazardous air pollutants, according to scientific research funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation and cited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is being used in locations throughout the US and has caused numerous incidents of fumes entering homes and schools.
It hit Kaylie Marley in school. A strong, epoxy-like odor that nauseated her and dozens of classmates and teachers at Spooner Middle School in Wisconsin. By the time they evacuated, Kaylie was feeling lightheaded. She passed out and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.
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A similar odor struck David Walsh when he returned home from work. It reminded him of fiberglass resin – a strong, sickening scent that assaulted his nostrils and made his head pound. His wife and two children, who had spent the day in the family’s home in Shoreline, Washington, complained of nausea and headaches. They soon felt so unwell that they packed their bags and left.
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Dozens of similar incidents coast to coast have not only triggered headaches, nausea and evacuations but also sparked claims of lasting injuries and even death caused by noxious fumes from an increasingly popular pipeline rehabilitation procedure.”
Contractors give little warning before embarking on these projects and have claimed (incorrectly) that the odor is “not harmful and will dissipate quickly.” With money pouring in for infrastructure upgrades, repair projects will likely skyrocket before safety measures can be implemented.
As has often been the case, misinformation, lack of regulation and greed are causing rampant injury to the public and there will be many more victims before anything is done. This is the first reporting I have seen on the danger posed by this process even though it has been around for decades. Please read and spread the word.