Migrating From Plastic Pipe Distribution System Pose

By Sammy Farag . January 1, 2017

Quick Answer: Research in Environmental Science and Pollution Research found that 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP) can move from plastic drinking water pipes into your water. It can reach levels that might mess with your hormones. Out of 15 plastic pipe materials tested, 4 had too much of this chemical, showing that picking the right pipe and treating your water are super important for safe drinking water.

Liu, Z., et al., Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 24(2):2126-2134, January 2017

Source: Water Feed

Estrogenic Compounds in Drinking Water: What the Science Shows

You see plastic drinking water pipes-HDPE, PVC, PEX, and polypropylene-everywhere. They’re in new buildings and older ones, all over the world. Liu et al. (2017) and other research point to a risk that standard water tests often miss: endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) leaching out at levels that can affect your body.

2,4-d-t-BP is a common antioxidant and additive used in making plastics. It acts like estrogen, attaching to estrogen receptors in your body even at the low concentrations you might get from drinking tap water. The Liu et al. study found that how much of this chemical leached out varied hugely between different pipe brands and materials. Four of the 15 pipes tested gave water with EEQ values high enough to cause serious problems with long-term exposure.

There’s a big gap in our rules here. The EPA’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulations don’t currently list 2,4-d-t-BP, 2-t-BP, or 4-t-BP as regulated contaminants, so there aren’t any set limits for them. The EU’s Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184) does have a “positive list” for materials that touch drinking water, but U.S. NSF/ANSI 61 certification mostly looks at immediate toxic effects. It might not catch these chronic, low-dose estrogenic issues.

Treating water at the tap is your best bet, especially since so many plastic pipes are already installed. AMPAC USA reverse osmosis systems remove 90-99% of phenolic compounds, including those known EDC migrants. Our multi-stage systems also come with activated carbon pre-treatment, which helps absorb even more of these trace organic chemicals. Together, these treatment steps tackle the contaminants Liu et al. found, giving you water that meets or beats WHO drinking water safety guidelines for estrogenic activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do plastic pipes leach harmful chemicals into drinking water?
Yes, scientific research confirms that compounds like 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP) can migrate from plastic pipes, including HDPE, PVC, PEX, and polypropylene, into drinking water. A study in Environmental Science and Pollution Research found that 4 out of 15 tested pipe materials released these chemicals at levels posing endocrine disruption risk. This highlights the critical need for careful pipe material selection and robust downstream water treatment to ensure safety.

What are estrogenic compounds in drinking water?
Estrogenic compounds are chemicals that mimic or interfere with the body’s natural hormones, specifically estrogen, and are categorized as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In drinking water, these can include substances like 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP), which has been shown to migrate from plastic pipes. These compounds can reach estrogenic equivalent (EEQ) levels sufficient to pose endocrine disruption risks.

Which plastic pipe materials pose endocrine disruption risks?
Research by Liu et al. (2017) in Environmental Science and Pollution Research revealed that 4 out of 15 plastic pipe materials tested released 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP) at levels sufficient to pose endocrine disruption risks. While specific brands aren’t named, the study indicates that certain HDPE, PVC, PEX, and polypropylene pipes can be problematic. This underscores the necessity for thorough material evaluation and stringent water quality monitoring in distribution systems.

How can estrogenic compounds be removed from drinking water?
Removing estrogenic compounds like 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP) from drinking water typically requires advanced water purification technologies. AMPAC USA, with over 30 years of field experience, designs and manufactures commercial and industrial reverse osmosis (RO) systems. These systems are highly effective at removing a wide range of organic contaminants, including endocrine-disrupting chemicals, ensuring safe and purified water.

What is 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP)?
2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (2,4-d-t-BP) is a phenolic antioxidant and processing additive widely used in plastics. Scientific literature, including a 2017 study by Liu et al., identifies it as a compound that can migrate from plastic drinking water pipes. Its presence in drinking water at certain concentrations can act as an estrogenic compound, posing endocrine disruption risks to human health.