Contaminants migrating from crossed-linked polyethylene pipes and their effect on drinking water odour

The formation potential of contaminants diffusing from cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes and their impact on the odour of drinking water was determined. Three types of PE-X material, Pe-Xa, PE-Xb and PE-Xc, were extensively assessed by performing migration tests following EN 1420 and EN 12873–1. Migration waters were analysed for their threshold odour number (TON). The same samples were investigated by two gas chromatography-mass spectrometry methods: screening and olfactometry. Most of the PE-X materials failed the German regulation of TON