The Conversation bills itself as a platform built to amplify engaging, science-based commentary from experts on a variety of subjects—"academic rigor, journalistic flare" the website's tagline advertises. Unfortunately, we've found multiple examples of The Conversation publishing stories that feature a whole lot of speculation and half-truths about PVC, falling far short of its promise to produce "journalism that is responsible, ethical and supported by evidence."

Consider this ominous 2024 headline recently brought to our attention by a concerned reader: "Lead water pipes created a health disaster in Flint, but replacing them with cheaper plastic − as some cities are doing − carries hidden costs." Written by three self-styled water policy experts, the article repeats five blatantly false or misleading claims about PVC pipe in drinking water infrastructure. Because The Conversation ignored our request to correct this misinfo-laden article, we thought it was appropriate to respond publicly. Let's take the errors one at a time.

1. Claim: “Scientific studies have shown that plastic pipes can attract metals and leach out chemicals and micro- and nanoplastics, which are known to exacerbate kidney disease.”

This statement is inaccurate. PVC pipe used for drinking water is strictly certified under NSF/ANSI 61 (Drinking Water System Components – Health Effects), which tests for leaching of any substances that could affect health. No credible evidence shows PVC pipe leaches harmful levels of chemicals, metals, microplastics or nanoplastics into drinking water under normal use. The U.S. EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) and health-based standards for all drinking water contaminants; PVC pipe complies fully with these requirements. There is no scientific basis linking typical consumer exposure from PVC pipe to kidney disease.

2. Claim: “Some studies, however, have reported that the release of organic substances from polymer-based pipes may promote the growth of biofilms, and plastic materials may promote the ability of pathogens to accumulate in pipes.”

This is misleading and incomplete. Multiple studies, summarized in the Vinyl Institute's 2023 report, show that biofilm accumulation is primarily an issue with metal pipes (particularly iron and ductile iron). Biofilms develop more quickly and support more diverse microbial populations on iron pipe surfaces than on PVC pipes. Corrosion and tuberculation on metal pipes can create protected niches that have the potential to harbor pathogens such as Legionella and coliforms, while PVC’s smooth, non-corroding surface results in lower biofilm growth.

3. Claim: “While PVC and other plastic pipe materials have a long life expectancy, they have had durability problems.”

This is not supported by the data. Extensive research from the Utah State University Buried Structures Laboratory demonstrates that PVC pipe has the lowest overall break and failure rates among common materials (cast iron, ductile iron, concrete, steel, asbestos cement). Excavated PVC pipes up to nearly 50 years old still meet all performance standards for pressure, impact resistance and stiffness. Independent analyses project a reliable service life exceeding 100 years for properly installed PVC pipe.

4. Claim: “Plastic is also vulnerable to fires. Studies have found that when plastic pipes are heated to high temperatures, they can both melt and release harmful chemicals.”

This misrepresents real-world conditions for buried water mains. Municipal PVC water mains are buried 18 inches to 5 feet deep (typically 3–4 feet), providing substantial soil insulation from wildfire surface temperatures. Laboratory studies using controlled pyrolysis (oxygen-deprived heating) do not replicate open-air wildfire conditions. In practice, buried PVC mains have demonstrated excellent performance in major wildfires.

5. Claim: “Heating during fires can also cause plastic to release harmful chemicals. Water testing in California communities affected by wildfires in 2017 and 2018 found that water systems had been contaminated with volatile organic compounds such as benzene, a carcinogen.”

This implication is false. Benzene and other VOC water supply contamination observed in the 2017 Tubbs Fire (Santa Rosa) and 2018 Camp Fire (Paradise) originated primarily from the combustion of vegetation, homes, vehicles and other wildfire fuels—not from buried PVC pipes. Buried PVC transmission and distribution mains were not damaged or melted in these events and remained in service.

Contamination resulted from system depressurization during firefighting, which created negative pressure and allowed smoke and contaminants to enter through damaged service lines, meters and openings, affecting all pipe materials. Studies and utility reports (including from Paradise Irrigation District) confirm PVC performed reliably with no evidence of contribution to benzene levels (see Uni-Bell PVC Pipe Association analysis).

Conclusion

Put simply, these inaccuracies misinformed The Conversation's readers about safe, cost-effective water infrastructure options. PVC is a proven pipe material with superior longevity, low failure rates and minimal environmental impact. That's a science-based message the public needs to hear. Hopefully The Conversation will live up to its standards and share all the facts next time it covers PVC.