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National Science Foundation Grant Awarded to CIPP Solutions Team

July 29, 2021

Water infrastructure is critical to the safety and economic health of communities. The restoration and maintenance of water supply and wastewater infrastructure are ongoing challenges for the Nation. Center affiliates Jonathan Shannahan (Health Sci) and Andrew Whelton (CE, EEE), members of the Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) Solutions Group, were recently awarded $330,000 from the National Science Foundation for their project “Towards an Improved Understanding of Plastic Pollutant Generation and Minimization Processes for Cured-in-Place-Pipe Manufacture.”

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) technology is a popular method for repairing buried sewer pipes, due in large part to economic considerations, as it can be 60-80% less costly than other repair alternatives. Unfortunately, the process of emplacement and curing of new plastic inside the damaged pipe can release hazardous materials into the air. These releases have resulted in exposures, illnesses, and at least one fatality of a worker where chemical exposure was a significant contributing factor. The overall goal of this research is to reduce chemical volatilization from CIPP by understanding mechanisms of chemical volatilization. In this project the team looks to determine factors that control chemical emission under various curing techniques, examine how injecting steam to create the CIPP impacts the distribution of emitted chemicals, and will estimate the toxicity reductions that could result from alterations in the process. This research will clarify how manufacturing processes influence the emission of chemicals from CIPP. This information can be used by regulators, public health professionals, and other stakeholders to develop policies and guidelines to minimize pollutant release and protect public health. Their work will be facilitated through direct engagement of stakeholders to disseminate the project findings and accelerate industry adoption. Further benefits to society result from a training module to assist user groups in making decisions regarding the use of CIPP for wastewater pipe upgrades.

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