| Abstract: | Data on the solubility and diffusion of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in PVC resin powders have been combined with published solutions of Fick's diffusion equation to yield predictions of the amount and rate of loss of residual VCM (RVCM) from rigid PVC pipe under storage and service conditions. The principal factors controlling VCM migration are the initial VCM content, thickness of the PVC section, temperature and the age of the PVC product. Analysis Solutions are presented for RVCM loss from freshly exturded pipe (uniform VCM concentration) into either the storage environment or the pipe contents. From these solutions, estimates are made for the real-world situation of closed-system service following variable storage periods. The validity of this approach for rigid PVC pipe in water-service is supported by reasonable agreement between its predictions and experimental laboratory data on the VCM content of water stored in PVC pipes. Both the predictive model and experimental data indicate that PVC pipe containing ≤ mg/kg (1 part per million) residual VCM will result in VCM concentrations in water of less than 0.002 mg/kg - under any expected service conditions. |
