Investigation on techniques and control of building lead and copper corrosion by orthophosphate and silicate
- Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (United States)
A new building was identified as having high lead levels in it`s drinking water. Through a detailed sampling protocol, the sources of lead were identified as brass plumbing fittings and fixtures, and Sn:Pb solder. A study was performed in two isolated sections of the building plumbing system to determine if the lead levels could be reduced naturally with time by simply using the water. Significant reductions in lead levels were not achieved following 8 months of water usage. A second study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of three chemical corrosion inhibitors; zinc orthophosphate, alkali metal orthophosphate, and sodium silicate, to reduce the lead levels. Three economic, simple, low maintenance chemical feed systems were designed and installed in three different isolated sections of the building`s plumbing system. The chemicals were fed into the building sections for approximately 4 months. Results showed that all inhibitors effectively and rapidly reduced lead and copper levels.
- OSTI ID:
- 128634
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-950304--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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