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Plumbing Seals May Contaminate Drinking Water, Study Warns

Author: American Chemical Society
Published: 2023/09/07 - Updated: 2025/07/02
Publication Details: Peer-Reviewed, Informative
Category Topic: Health and Disability - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates

Synopsis: This research, published as a peer-reviewed study in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, reveals that rubber seals and gaskets in common plumbing fixtures can leach harmful polymer additives into drinking water at detectable levels. The scholarly investigation found that compounds like 1,3-diphenylguanidine (DPG) and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine (6PPD), traditionally associated with tire pollution, were present in tap water samples from all 20 buildings tested at parts per trillion concentrations. This information proves particularly valuable for vulnerable populations including seniors and people with disabilities who may have compromised immune systems or heightened sensitivity to chemical exposures, as it identifies a previously unrecognized source of contamination in domestic water supplies and demonstrates how everyday plumbing components can generate chlorinated byproducts when these additives interact with water disinfectants - Disabled World (DW).

Introduction

"Occurrence of Polymer Additives 1,3-Diphenylguanidine (DPG), N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine (6PPD), and Chlorinated Byproducts in Drinking Water: Contribution from Plumbing Polymer Materials" - Environmental Science & Technology Letters.

As drinking water flows through pipes and into a glass, it runs against the rubber seals inside some plumbing devices. These parts contain additives that contribute to their flexibility and durability, but these potentially harmful compounds can leak into drinking water, according to a small-scale study in ACS' Environmental Science & Technology Letters. The authors report that the released compounds, which are typically linked to tire pollution, also transformed into other unwanted byproducts.

Main Content

To enhance rubber's strength and durability, manufacturers typically mix in additives.

Scientists have shown that tire dust can transport these substances, such as 1,3 diphenylguanidine (DPG) and N-(1,3-dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-1,4-benzenediamine (6PPD), into waterways. DPG and 6PPD have also been detected in drinking water samples, though it's unclear how the compounds got there.

In previous research, Shane Snyder and Mauricius Marques dos Santos found that these rubber additives can react with disinfectants in simulated drinking water. Their lab tests generated a variety of chlorinated compounds, some of which could damage DNA. Now, the team wanted to assess whether real-world rubber plumbing fixtures can release DPG and 6PPD and form chlorinated byproducts in drinking water samples.

In this pilot study, the team collected tap water from 20 buildings and detected polymer additives at parts per trillion levels in every sample.

The researchers explain that these compounds are not currently regulated, but the measured levels are potentially concerning, based on their previous study's results from human cell bioassays. And the samples from faucets with aerators contained the highest total amounts.

All of the samples contained DPG and one of its chlorinated byproducts, whereas 6PPD and two other chlorine-containing compounds were each found in fewer than five samples. This is the first report of chlorinated DPG byproducts in drinking water, according to the researchers.

To see if these compounds could have come from plumbing fixtures, the team tested rubber O-rings and gaskets from seven commercial devices, including faucet aerators and connection seals. In the experiment, the rings sat in water with or without chlorinated disinfectants for up to two weeks. Most of the seals, except for the silicone-based ones, released DPG and 6PPD additives. Additionally, plumbing pieces sitting in disinfectant-treated water generated chlorinated forms of DPG in amounts that were consistent with those observed in the drinking water samples.

Because some of the rubber plumbing seals released DPG and 6PPD, the researchers say that drinking water, as well as tire pollution, could be a route of human exposure to these compounds.

The authors acknowledge funding from the Merlion programme; the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs; the Nanyang Technological University; the National Research Foundation of Singapore; and the Public Utilities Board, Singapore's National Water Agency.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: The findings of this study underscore a critical yet often overlooked aspect of household safety: the integrity of the materials we rely on for clean water. As plumbing seals quietly degrade, they may introduce unseen risks, particularly for vulnerable groups like seniors or those with chronic illnesses who depend on safe water for daily health management. This research calls for greater scrutiny of plumbing components and urges manufacturers to prioritize non-toxic, durable materials. It's a reminder that small, hidden elements in our homes can have outsized impacts on our well-being, pushing us to advocate for stricter standards and make informed choices to safeguard our water and our health - Disabled World (DW).

Attribution/Source(s): This peer reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by American Chemical Society and published on 2023/09/07, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page: American Chemical Society. (2023, September 7 - Last revised: 2025, July 2). Plumbing Seals May Contaminate Drinking Water, Study Warns. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved July 12, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/rubber-seals.php

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