AWWA JAW10139

This article outlines the actions taken by Johns-Manville, manufacturer of vinyl-lined asbestos-cement (A-C) pipe, in 1980 in response to evidence gathered by the USEPA which cited A-C pipes as the source of tetrachloroethylene in drinking water. Johns-Manville took the following steps: discontinued further production or sale of vinyllined pipe; commenced flow and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) level testing; printed 10,000 data sheets on PCE for distribution by water companies to their customers; generated computer lists for the USEPA and the states showing customers and amounts of vinyl-lined pipe sold in New England; met with state water officials to explain how PCE came from the pipes and how levels could be reduced by bleeding and flushing; distributed a chronology and explanation of the problems to several radio and television stations; and took back, for full credit, all inventory stocks of vinyl-lined pipe when requested by customers. The author also expresses concern over the lack of long-term, fixed maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) and suggested no adverse response levels (SNARLs) for PCE, the lack of which fails to provide the public and the media with balanced, scientific data necessary to evaluate a situation without over-reaction and unneeded expense.