Remobilization of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons from the coal tar lining of water mains

摘要

For over a hundred years, coal tar has been widely used for corrosion protection of cast iron and steel water pipes; the practice finally ended in the mid 1970s. It has been reported that, in some cases, these coatings be led to elevated concentrations of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the distributed drinking water, whereas in other instances PAHs could not be detected (1,2,3). The reason for this difference in the occurrence of these constituents was unknown until the results of the present work were interpreted.1