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WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS

AIR DISCHARGE at FAUCETS, FIXTURES
AIR INLET VALVE, WATER TANK
AIR VOLUME CONTROLS, WATER TANK

BIOLOGICAL POLLUTANTS
Bisphenol-A, BPA

CHEMICAL CONTAMINANTS in WATER
CHECK VALVES
CHLORAMINE / CHLORINE Tests
CHLORINE IN DRINKING WATER
CHLORINE in WATER, HOW TO TEST FOR

CISTERNS

DEBRIS in WATER SUPPLY, Water Heater
DRINKING WATER TESTING

DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY PURIFICATION
DRINKING WATER - EMERGENCY SOURCES

EPA GUIDE to WATER QUALITY

FHA WATER TESTS REQUIRED

FILTERS, WATER
FLOW CONTROL VALVES
FOOT VALVES, WELL PIPING

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GREYWATER SYSTEMS

HARD WATER - SOFTENERS
HEAT TAPE USAGE GUIDE

LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE
Legionella Legionnaires' Disease

METHANE GAS SOURCES
MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS
MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets
MUNICIPAL WATER PRESSURE IMPROVEMENTS

ODORS GASES SMELLS, DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODORS IN WATER
OZONE HAZARDS

Pesticide Exposure Hazards

PIPING IN BUILDINGS, Clogs Leaks Types
PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
PLUMBING SYSTEM ODORS
PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH ADJUSTMENT

RADON HAZARD TESTS & MITIGATION

RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks

REVERSE OSMOSIS CONCENTRATE DISPOSAL

SEWAGE PATHOGENS in SEPTIC SLUDGE
SEWER GAS ODORS

TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL

VALVES, PLUMBING

WATER CONTAMINANT LEVELS
WATER FILTERS
WATER HAMMER NOISE DIAGNOSE & CURE

WATER HEATERS

WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE

WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT
WATER PRESSURE LOSS DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR
WATER PRESSURE REPAIR GUIDE - WELLS

WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS
WATER PUMPS, TANKS, WELLS - BASICS

WATER PUMP CAPACITIES TYPES RATES GPM
WATER PUMP CONTROLS & SWITCHES
WATER PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL SWITCH
WATER PUMP TYPES & LIFE EXPECTANCY
WATER PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE
WATER PUMP PROBLEM DIAGNOSTIC TABLE

WATER PUMP REPAIR GUIDE
WATER PUMP SHORT CYCLING
WATER PUMP WONT STOP RUNNING

WATER PURIFIERS

WATER QUALITY TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT

WATER SHUTOFF VALVE LOCATION, USE
WATER SHUTOFF VALVE, WELL PUMP

WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS
WATER SOURCE ALTERNATIVES

WATER TANK: USES, TROUBLESHOOTING
WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD
WATER TANK AIR INLET VALVE
WATER TANK AIR LOSS SIGNS
WATER TANK AIR VALVE REPAIRS
WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS
WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR
WATER TANK CAPTIVE AIR vs TRADITIONAL WellMate

WATER TANK CONTROLS & SWITCHES
WATER TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY

WATER TANK PRESSURE CALCULATIONS
WATER TANK PRESSURE GAUGE
WATER TANK PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE

WATER TANK REPAIRS
WATER TANK REPLACEMENT

WATER TANK SAFETY
WATER TANK SIZE & VOLUME

WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL

WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT
WATER TEST CHOICES & WATER TEST FEES
WATER TESTING GUIDE
WATER TEST INTERPRETATION

WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES

WELL PUMP PRIMING PROCEDURE

WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS

WINTERIZE A BUILDING

More Information

Water Storage Tank Safety, Plastic Contaminants, Relief Valves, Installation & Inspection
InspectAPedia®  -    

  • Pressure relief valves for water storage tanks or water pressure tanks
  • Pressure relief valves for thermal expansion pressure relief on hot water systems
  • How to Buy & Install the Right Water Tank Pressure Relief Valve for Water Storage Tanks or Water Pressure Tanks
  • Home Water Tank Safety, Water Tank Relief Valves, Water Tank Electrical Switches
  • Well pump & water tank diagnosis & repair procedures

This article describes Home Water Tank Safety: Water Tank Pressure Relief Valves, Water Tank Electrical Switches, how to use them, adjust them, or where they should be installed. We include a water tank safety checklist and a water storage tank installation checklist. We also discuss PET plastic water tanks.

InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.

Readers of this document should also see Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case which offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost.

Also see WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL and cautions at PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES. Also see safety and health advice regarding cisterns and water storage tanks discussed at CISTERNS.

Water tank pressure relief valves are discussed here at WATER PUMP SAFETY. At RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters we discuss temperature and pressure relief valves used on residential water heaters. For a general discussion of temperature and pressure relief valves used as safety devices on heating boilers and other pressurized please see RELIEF VALVES - TP VALVES. Pressure relief valves (that sense pressure only, not temperature) are also required on pressurized tanks such as water tanks in buildings.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

WELL PUMP & WATER TANK SAFETY - Water pump and water pressure tank or water storage tank safety advice

Here are some safety tips about water pressure tank relief valves and electrical safety around water pumps, water pressure tanks, and water storage tanks.

Water Pressure Tank Pressure Relief Valve

  • Photograph of a water pressure tank control valve In this photo, the small brass fitting to the right of the black drain valve is a pressure relief valve needed on any pressurized tank. On your water system these components may be located differently.

    Tank rupture hazards: can damage equipment or injure someone nearby. Every tank which is pressurized (such as by water or air) should have a pressure relief valve installed - a safety device required by building codes in many jurisdictions.

    Most water tanks operate at relatively low pressures, up to perhaps 60 psi. (Higher water pressure in buildings tends to cause leaks at faucets and toilets.)

    But in the unlikely event that a pump pressure control is damaged and refuses to turn the pump OFF, pressures in the system, particularly if a submersible (in-well) pump is installed, can become high enough to rupture a water tank. This is particularly true if the tank is old, rusted, or otherwise damaged.

The water tank pressure relief valve shown in our photo (above) is marked indicating that it will open at water pressure equal to or greater than 75 psi. That pressure is pretty standard and you'll see the 75 psi figure on valves used on water tanks and on some tankless water heaters too.

Check with the manufacturer of your water tank to determine if a different relief valve opening pressure is required.

Details about water storage tank relief valves or water tank pressure relief valves are at RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks

If a pressure relief valve is not installed on your water tank ask your plumber to provide one promptly.

Other Water Tank Safety Hazards

  • Trip hazards wet floors can cause slips and falls - be careful.
  • Electrical shock hazards: can be fatal. Do not touch electrical controls in a building, such as a pump power electrical switch, if you're standing on a wet floor.
  • Fatal Electrical Shock Hazard if you remove the cover of the pump pressure control switch (discussed above at ADJUST PUMP PRESSURE CONTROL) you can get access to the two nuts that adjust the operating pressures of the water pump. But watch out! There are also live electrical contacts exposed in this area. If you touch them, especially being near water piping, there is a serious risk of death by electrocution. Watch what you touch, or have a professional plumber or electrician do this job for you.

Water Storage Tank Health, Safety, & Sanitation Advice

Plastic water storage tank (C) Daniel FriedmanQuestion:

I've been unable to find on-line information about the safety of using common 1500 gallon plastic water tanks to hold drinking water. Our tank is shaded, but summers are warm and the water often sits in the tank for weeks, especially when we are traveling.

Our tank is 20 years old, but according to web sites now selling drinking water tanks, the plastic is polyethylene terephthalate aka PET.

To my knowledge, we haven't had any problems to date with bacteria growing. I don't taste plastic. We once had a mouse get in and die. Bad smelling water. It cleared up after a few weeks. Probably drank some of it!

Do you have any information or links? - Barbara Stuart

The above-ground water cistern storage tank shown in our photo (above left) is located in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico and is discussed at PASSIVE SOLAR HOME, LOW COST.

Answer:

As Ms. Stuart pointed out, some water storage tanks are made of plastic polyethylene terephthalate aka PET. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET, PETE or polyester) is commonly used for carbonated beverage and water bottles.

Some water storage tanks have also been constructed of this material.

PET - Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE, PETP, PET-P) is a thermoplastic polymer polyester plastic resin. plastic water tanks may be a health risk to consumers: Commentary published in Environmental Health Perspectives in April 2010 suggested that PET might yield endocrine disruptors under conditions of common use and recommended research on this topic. Proposed mechanisms include leaching of phthalates as well as leaching of antimony. Other authors have published evidence indicating that it is quite unlikely that PET yields endocrine disruptors. - Web search 6/27/2010 Wikipedia. PET

Sorting Through the Confusion of Opinions vs. Studies About Plastic Container Materials, Names, Hazards

Researching the health hazards of plastic containers and asking which plastics are safe can give conflicting and confusing results.

Some sources such as the "green" website Care2.com assert that PET or PETE polyethylene terephthalate and HDPE high density polyethylene plastic containers are "GOOD: Not known to leach any chemicals that are suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.".

These same sources may tag LDPE, PP, PS as "OK", and tagging PVC or V and PS as "BAD - PVC - According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen., and BAD PS - According to the National Institutes of Health, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), commonly found in PVC, is a suspected human carcinogen." - Web search 07/24/2010 care2.com.

There is also confusion about "polyethylene plastic" bottles and tanks. Don't confuse HDPE plastic (high density polyethylene) with PET - Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE, PETP, PET-P) - see What Plastic Was Used to Make My Water Tank (or water bottle)?

Looking at more expert researchers commenting on PET plastic containers:

But recently researchers have raised serious questions about potential health and environmental concerns for PET or PETE plastics. At Reviewers & References see Sax L 2010, López-Carrillo L, et als 2010, Koike E, 2010, for examples.

In April 2010 Environmental Health Perspectives, a peer-reviewed open access journal published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Sax reported that

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used to make clear plastic bottles for bottled water and containers for other beverages, condiments, and cosmetic products. There is concern that estrogenic chemicals such as phthalates may leach into the contents from bottles made from PET, although PET is not a phthalate derivative. Sax (p. 445) describes several studies suggesting that water from PET bottles can have estrogenic activity in some bioassays and that phthalates might leach from PET bottles. The author notes the difficulties in evaluating these studies, especially in cases where there may have been prior contamination of the water or the containers with estrogenic agents or phthalates. Sax suggests that the phthalate content of PET bottles, if present, might vary as a function of the acidity of the product and the temperature and duration of storage. Sax also makes the observation that other nonphthalate chemicals such as antimony, which is used as a catalyst in the polycondensation of PET, might also contribute to the endocrine-disrupting activity of products stored in PET containers. The widespread use of PET plastic for a variety of applications suggests that additional research is needed.

The contents of the PET bottle, and the temperature at which it is stored, both appear to influence the rate and magnitude of leaching. Endocrine disruptors other than phthalates, specifically antimony, may also contribute to the endocrine-disrupting effect of water from PET containers.

Conclusions: More research is needed in order to clarify the mechanisms whereby beverages and condiments in PET containers may be contaminated by endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

If your water storage tank is made from Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and is exposed to high temperatures such as exposure to direct sun and/or in a hot climate, the health risk may be increased. At References, below, we include citations of several recent articles discussing health risks from Phthalates and PET containers.

List of Types of Plastics Used for Containers & Tanks

Please see PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES for our complete article on this topic.

  • HDPE - High Density Polyethylene - the most widely used material for plastic bottles, HDPE is supplied in FDA-approved food-grade products. It does not withstand temperatures over 160 degF.
  • K-SBC - K-Resin SBC plastic containers, a styrene derivative, used for containers but not for oils or solvents.
  • LDPE - Low Density Polyethylene - similar to HDPE, less rigid, more translucent, more costly, not used for water storage tanks.
  • PCR - Post-Consumer Resin, reclaimed plastic HDPE storage containers.
  • Polycarbonate plastic containers made with biphenyl-A (a hormone disruptor)(baby bottles, microwave ovenware, eating utensils)
  • PET - Polyethylene terephthalate (PETE, PETP, PET-P) is a thermoplastic polymer polyester plastic resin. plastic water tanks may be a health risk to consumers
  • PP - Polypropylene plastic storage containers, used for foods, tolerates higher temperatures.
  • PS - Polystyrene plastic storage containers, used with dry products, not for water storage.
  • PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride plastic bottles or storage tanks, used for bottled oils and soaps, like HDPE it does not withstand high temperatures over 160 degF.

Sources of Plastic Water Storage Tanks

Some currently-marketed plastic water storage tanks include water tanks for RVs and home or commercial use, constructed of [web search 07/24/2010]

  • "Virgin polyethylene" plastic water storage tanks - e.g. Non Pressurized 165 Gallon Polyethylene Water Storage Tank $689.00 new - affordablewater.us and 500-gallon polyethylene storage tanks at gemplers.com.
  • "Plastic water tanks" 25-10,000 gallon water storage including rainwater storage tanks, aboveground, by Freeman, Chem-Tainer .
  • Chem-Tainer Industries is a producer of a very wide range of plastic storage tanks
  • See more water tank and cistern details at CISTERNS. Also see Springs as Water Supply what are they, can they be sanitary and safe?
  • Books on building or repairing ferrocement, steel, and plastic water tanks are below at Reviewers & References.

So What Plastic Was Used to Make My Water Tank (or water bottle)?

Please see PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES for our complete article on this topic.

How do you identify what kind of plastic was used to make your water or other storage tank or even your plastic water bottle or food container? Use the simple guide to plastic recycling codes and other plastic tank type identification suggstions at PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES and look for the recycling indicator or label on your plastic container.

Water Storage Tank Safety Checklist

Watch out: be sure that any storage tank is not an attractive nuisance to children or teens, and that the tank is protected from entry - a child or animal falling into a tank could perish.

Chem-Tainer provides these Water Tank Safety Checklists and Advice

  • Confirm chemical compatibility of product being stored with that of the polyethylene tank and fittings.
  • Tanks are to be used at atmospheric pressure only. Make sure tanks are vented as required to prevent pressure or vacuum from developing.
  • Prevent excessive heat near or inside the tank. Polyethylene tanks are designed for a maximum continuous temperature of 70° F.*
  • Have and use Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the product being stored.
  • Regard tanks as confined spaces.
  • Follow proper entry procedures.
  • Do not stand on tank domes as the surface is flexible and slippery.
  • Do not move tanks while holding liquid and never allow personnel under a tank when it is being lifted!

Watch Out: * EXTREME CAUTION: Consult Customer Service on any applications where continuous use is above 70° F.

Water Storage Tank Installation Checklist

  • Locate the tank wisely.
  • Protect personnel from chemical danger in the event of a leak and protect the tank from traffic damage and excessive heat.
  • Tanks are designed for above ground use only.
  • Utilize adequate secondary containment according to particular chemical danger and governmental and industry requirements.
  • Fully support the entire bottom of the tank on a clean, smooth concrete foundation.
  • Failure to provide proper foundation and support constitutes a misuse of the tank and will void your warranty.
  • Fill the usable capacity of the tank with water and hydro test up to a minimum of 5 hours after installation and before product is introduced to ensure tank and fitting integrity.
  • Install labels for chemical warning that complies with all local, federal and OSHA requirements.

Water Storage Tank Operating Parameters

  • Temperature - Tank specific gravity ratings based on product temperature of 70° F.
  • Pressure - Atmospheric pressure must be maintained in tank at all times; vacuum must = 0.
  • Make sure tank is properly vented for the type of material and flow rates expected.
  • Plumbing - Flexible connections REQUIRED to preserve warranty.

Water Storage Tank Maintenance Guidelines

  • Water tanks should be inspected on a routine basis.
  • Clean the exterior and interior of the tank.You cannot properly inspect a dirty tank.
  • Inspect the exterior and the interior of the tank for cracking and brittle appearance. Pay particular attention to areas around fittings and where different planes of the tank radius into one another.
  • A bright light source should be used to inspect the interior from the man way opening to avoid a confined space entry.
  • Inspect fittings and exterior gaskets for leaks and signs of general corrosion and deterioration.
-Chem-Tainer Industries - original source http://www.chemtainer.com

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PLUMBING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR

Water Tank & Pump Costs
WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD

WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL
  BLADDERLESS FIBERGLASS WATER TANKS
  CAPTIVE AIR TANKS
  CISTERNS
  EXPANSION TANKS, Attic
  EXPANSION TANKS, Basement
  EXPANSION TANKS, BOILERS
  HOT WATER TANKS, RANGE BOILERS
  HOT WATER TANKS, INDIRECT FIRED
  OIL STORAGE TANKS
  OPEN WATER TANKS, Indoors
  PLASTIC & FIBERGLASS TANKS, HDPE
  INDIRECT-FIRED HOT WATER TANKS
  PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
  RANGE BOILERS
  REPLACEMENT WATER TANKS
  RAINWATER STORAGE TANKS
  ROOFTOP WATER TANKS
  STEEL WATER TANKS
  WATER PRESSURE BOOSTING
  WATER PRESSURE TANKS, BLADDER TYPE
  WATER PRESSURE TANKS, FIBERGLASS
  WATER PRESSURE TANKS, STEEL
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, GROUND LEVEL
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, LARGE
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, OPEN
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, ROOFTOP
WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD
WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR
WATER TANK CAPTIVE AIR vs TRADITIONAL WellMate
WATER TANK DRAIN VALVE
WATER TANK LIFE EXPECTANCY

WATER TANK PRESSURE CALCULATIONS
WATER TANK PRESSURE GAUGE
WATER TANK PRESSURE GAUGE ACCURACY
WATER TANK PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
WATER TANK REPAIRS
  CONTROLS & SWITCHES on WATER TANKS
  INTERMITTENT CYCLING WATER PUMPS
  SHORT CYCLING WATER PUMP
  SHORT CYCLING CAUSES
  SHORT CYCLING CAUSE: WELL PIPE LEAKS
  SHORT CYCLING DIAGNOSIS TABLE
  WATER TANK AIR, HOW TO ADD
  WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS
  WATER TANK AIR ADD AT AIR VALVE
  WATER TANK AIR ADD BY DRAINING
  WATER TANK AIR HOW MUCH TO ADD
  WATER TANK AIR HOW OFTEN TO ADD
  WATER TANK AIR INLET VALVE
  WATER TANK AIR LOSS SIGNS
  WATER TANK AIR VALVE REPAIRS
  WATER TANK AIR VOLUME CONTROLS
  WATER TANK BLADDERS & CAPTIVE AIR
WATER TANK DRAIN VALVE
WATER TANK REPLACEMENT
WATER TANK SAFETY
  Water Pump Safety
  Water Tank Relief Valve
  Water Storage Tank Health & Safety
  Types of Plastic Water Tanks
  Sources of Plastic Water Tank
  How to ID Type of Plastic Water Tank
  Water Storage Tank Safety Checklists
WATER TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL
  BLADDERLESS FIBERGLASS WATER TANKS
  CAPTIVE AIR TANKS
  CISTERNS
  EXPANSION TANKS, Attic
  EXPANSION TANKS, Basement
  EXPANSION TANKS, BOILERS
  HOT WATER TANKS, RANGE BOILERS
  HOT WATER TANKS, INDIRECT FIRED
  OIL STORAGE TANKS
  OPEN WATER TANKS, Indoors
  PLASTIC & FIBERGLASS TANKS, HDPE
  INDIRECT-FIRED HOT WATER TANKS
  PLASTIC CONTAINERS, TANKS, TYPES
  RANGE BOILERS
  REPLACEMENT WATER TANKS
  RAINWATER STORAGE TANKS
  ROOFTOP WATER TANKS
  STEEL WATER TANKS
  WATER PRESSURE BOOSTING
  WATER PRESSURE TANKS, BLADDER TYPE
  WATER PRESSURE TANKS, FIBERGLASS
  WATER PRESSURE TANKS, STEEL
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, GROUND LEVEL
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, LARGE
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, OPEN
  WATER STORAGE TANKS, ROOFTOP

  • Thanks to reader Barbara Stuart for discussing water storage tank sanitation and concerns for PET plastic water storage tanks - June 2010.
  • Barrett JR 2010. Attention-Worthy Association: Prenatal Phthalate Exposure and Later Child Behavior. Environ Health Perspect 118:a172-a172. doi:10.1289/ehp.118-a172b, Online: 01 April 2010 - Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers Induce Developmental Neurotoxicity in a Human in Vitro Model: Evidence for Endocrine Disruption
    Web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?
    articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.118-a172b
    Quoting:
    Human exposure to phthalates is ubiquitous due to widespread commercial use. Although the compounds are reported to be rapidly metabolized, concentrations in the body appear to remain fairly stable due to ongoing exposure. The United States and Europe have banned some phthalates from consumer products primarily on the basis of reproductive toxicity data. However, not all phthalates are regulated; meanwhile, research indicates toxicity may extend to other endocrine targets such as the thyroid gland, which is critical for proper neurodevelopment. A new study now reports an association between prenatal exposure to certain phthalates and adverse effects on test scores used to evaluate children’s behavior and executive functioning [EHP 118:565–571; Engel et al.].
  • Chem-Tainer Industries, 361 Neptune Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11704, Phone: (631) 661-8300, Toll Free: 1-800-ASK-CHEM, Chem-Tainer Representatives are available 8 AM - 8 PM Eastern Time Fax: (631) 661-8209800-275-2436, Email: sales@chemtainer.com - Web Search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.chemtainer.com/watertanks/vertical.aspx
  • Sax L 2010. Polyethylene Terephthalate May Yield Endocrine Disruptors. Environ Health Perspect 118:445-448. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901253, Web Search 07/24/2010 original source: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?article
    URI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.0901253
    Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used to make clear plastic bottles for bottled water and containers for other beverages, condiments, and cosmetic products. There is concern that estrogenic chemicals such as phthalates may leach into the contents from bottles made from PET, although PET is not a phthalate derivative. Sax (p. 445) describes several studies suggesting that water from PET bottles can have estrogenic activity in some bioassays and that phthalates might leach from PET bottles. The author notes the difficulties in evaluating these studies, especially in cases where there may have been prior contamination of the water or the containers with estrogenic agents or phthalates. Sax suggests that the phthalate content of PET bottles, if present, might vary as a function of the acidity of the product and the temperature and duration of storage. Sax also makes the observation that other nonphthalate chemicals such as antimony, which is used as a catalyst in the polycondensation of PET, might also contribute to the endocrine-disrupting activity of products stored in PET containers. The widespread use of PET plastic for a variety of applications suggests that additional research is needed.
  • López-Carrillo L, Hernández-Ramírez RU, Calafat AM, Torres-Sánchez L, Galván-Portillo M, Needham LL, et al. 2010. Exposure to Phthalates and Breast Cancer Risk in Northern Mexico. Environ Health Perspect 118:539-544. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901091
    Web Search 07/24/2010, original source: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.0901091
    Keywords: breast cancer, case–control study, endocrine disruptors, environment, Mexico, phthalates, risk assessment, urinary metabolites.
    Quoting:
    Conclusions: We show for the first time that exposure to diethyl phthalate, the parent compound of MEP, may be associated with increased risk of BC [breast cancer], whereas exposure to the parent phthalates of MBzP and MCPP might be negatively associated. These findings require confirmation.
    Quoting the Editor's Summary:
    Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental pollutants used primarily as plasticizers of polyvinyl chloride and as additives in consumer and personal care products. Research has shown that phthalates can have effects on reproductive health and development. Few studies have investigated potential adverse effects of phthalates in women. In a population-based case–control study, López-Carrillo et al. (p. 539) examined the association between urinary concentrations of nine phthalate metabolites and breast cancer. Phthalate metabolites were detected in urine samples in at least 82% of women. The geometric mean concentrations of monoethyl phthalate (MEP) were higher in cases than controls, whereas controls had significantly higher concentrations of mono-n-butyl phthalate, mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate, and mono(3-carboxypropyl) phthalate (MCPP) than cases. After adjusting for risk factors and other phthalates, urinary concentrations of MEP were positively associated with breast cancer, and the association w as stronger among premenopausal women. In contrast, there were significant negative associations between monobenzyl phthalate (MBzP) or MCPP and breast cancer.
  • Koike E, Yanagisawa R, Sadakane K, Inoue K-i, Ichinose T, Takano H 2010. Effects of Diisononyl Phthalate on Atopic Dermatitis in Vivo and Immunologic Responses in Vitro. Environ Health Perspect 118:472-478. doi:10.1289/ehp.0901255 - Web Search 07/24/2010, original source: http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info%3Adoi%2F10.1289%2Fehp.0901255
    Diisononyl phthalate (DINP), a principal plasticizer in many polyvinyl chloride products, has been shown to have an adjuvant effect on immunoglobulin (Ig) production in mice. However, the effects of DINP on allergic diseases have not been fully elucidated.
    Conclusions: DINP can aggravate AD-like skin lesions related to Dp. The mechanisms of the aggravation might be mediated, at least partly, through the TSLP-related activation of dendritic cells and by direct or indirect activation of the immune cells.

    Quoting Editor's Summary
    Epidemiologic studies have suggested that exposure to phthalate esters such as di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) may be associated with the development of asthma, wheezing, and allergic symptoms. Koike et al. (p. 472) investigated the effects of DINP on the development of another allergic disease, atopic dermatitis. These investigators induced atopic dermatitis experimentally in laboratory animals and then exposed the mice systemically to various doses of DINP for up to 16 days. Clinical scores, histology, protein level of cytokines and chemokines in ear tissue supernatants, and levels of immunoglobulin and histamine in serum were measured at the end of DINP exposure. The effects of DINP on immunologic responses of bone-marrow–derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) or splenocytes were also measured in vitro. DINP exacerbated atopic dermatitis–like skin lesions in a manner consistent with eosinophilic inflammation, mast cell degranulation, and thymic stromal lymphpoeitin expression. DINP also enhanced expression o f cell surface activation markers on BMDCs and affected systemic immune responses on splenocytes in vitro. The authors conclude that DINP can aggravate atopic dermatitis–like skin lesions in an animal model and that the effects may be mediated, as least in part, through the thymic stromal lymphopoeitin-related activation of dendritic cells and direct or indirect activation of immune cells. These studies provide biological plausibility for other observations in humans, which suggests that exposure to plasticizers such as DINP might be associated with allergic diseases such as atopic dermatitis.
  • Watts Corporation, Series 53 Pressure Relief Valves, for commercial and residential applications, publication ES-53 1010, Watts Corporation, 815 Chestnut St., No. Andover, MA 01845-6098; www.watts.com and Watts Corporation in Canada: 5435 North Service Rd., Burlington, ONT. L7L 5H7; www.wattscanada.ca.
    Web search 03/24/2011, original source: http://media.wattswater.com/ES-53.pdf and also http://media.wattswater.com/1910868.pdf
    Note: The Watts products shown on the first cited product page are small type relief valves. Construction of these products does not meet the (ANSI Z21.22) nationally recognized applicable standard.
  • Plumbing Diagnosis & Repair: Water supply, drainage, septic systems, water testing, water contamination, defective plumbing materials & products.
  • Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost
  • Water pressure tank failures & water pump short cycling diagnosis and repair

Water Supply & Drain Piping, Wells, Pumps, Water Supply Equipment

  • Access Water Energy, PO Box 2061, Moorabbin, VIC 3189, Australia, Tel: 1300 797 758, email: sales@accesswater.com.au Moorabbin Office: Kingston Trade Centre, 100 Cochranes Rd, Moorabbin, VIC 3189
    Australian supplier of: Greywater systems, Solar power to grid packages, Edwards solar systems, Vulcan compact solar systems, water & solar system pumps & controls, and a wide rage of above ground & under ground water storage tanks: concrete, steel, plastic, modular, and bladder storage tanks.
  • Cheating on water tests: Testing Water for Real Estate Transactions - make sure your water test is valid
  • Diagnosing Clogged Drains: Is it a blocked drain or the septic system? - A First Step for Homeowners
  • Drinking Water Contaminant Levels - Maximum Allowed
  • Drinking Water Supply, Contamination Levels, Water Testing Procedures
  • Drinking Water Testing Advice for home buyers home owners home inspectors
  • Interpreting Drinking Water Test Results and Correcting Unsatisfactory Water
  • Lead Contamination in Drinking Water: Testing & Correction - Advice (This Article)
  • Lead Testing & Correcting Contamination from Lead Water Supply Lines/Entry Mains - Lead Pipe Problems/Advice
  • Life Expectancy of Water Pumps - Well Pumps: how long should a water pump last? What affects pump life?
  • Life Expectancy of Wells & Water Tanks how long should a water well and its components last?
  • Plumbing Diagnosis & Repair: Water supply, drainage, septic systems, water testing, water contamination, defective plumbing materials & products.
  • Shock or Chlorinate a Well, How to - Procedure for Shocking a Well to (temporarily or maybe longer) "Correct" Bacterial Contamination
  • Smart Tank, Installation Instructions, Flexcon Industries, 300 Pond St., Randolph MA 02368, www.flexconind.com, Tel: 800-527-0030 - web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://www.flexconind.com/pdf/st_install.pdf
  • Typical Shallow Well One Line Jet Pump Installation, Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
  • Typical Deep Well Two Line Jet Pump Installation, Grove Electric, G&G Electric & Plumbing, 1900 NE 78th St., Suite 101, Vancouver WA 98665 www.grovelectric.com - web search -7/15/2010 original source: http://www.groverelectric.com/howto/38_Typical%20Jet%20Pump%20Installation.pdf
  • Water Fact Sheet #3, Using Low-Yielding Wells, Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension, School of Forest Resources, web search 07/24/2010, original source: http://pubs.cas.psu.edu/FreePubs/pdfs/XH0002.pdf
  • Water pressure tanks - how to diagnose the need for air, how to add air, stop water pump short cycling to avoid damage - water storage water pressure tank safety.
  • Water pump and pressure tank repair diagnosis & cost an specific case offers an example of diagnosis of loss of water pressure, loss of water, and analyzes the actual repair cost
  • Water pressure tank failures & water pump short cycling diagnosis and repair
  • Water Supply & Drain Piping, water and drain pipe types, inspection, diagnosis, repairs, problem materials, clogging, etc.
  • Water Tests & Fees this water test fee schedule applies when testing is combined with other onsite building inspection services
  • Water Testing: background comments on classes of water contaminants, & links to home buyer advice about water testing, drinking water, water supply
  • Water Requirements, Home & Outdoor Living

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
    • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop, and from the InspectAPedia bookstore. The 2010 edition of the Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Crystal Clear Supply provides portable ceramic water filter purifiers and portable reverse osmosis water treatment equipment - see http://www.crystalclearsupply.com/category_s/7.htm
  • Handbook of Disinfectants and Antiseptics, Joseph M. Ascenzi (Editor), CRC, 1995, ISBN-10: 0824795245 ISBN-13: 978-0824795245 "The evaluation of chemical germicides predates the golden age of microbiology..." -
    This well-focused, up-to-date reference details the current medical uses of antiseptics and disinfectants -- particularly in the control of hospital-acquired infections -- presenting methods for evaluating products to obtain regulatory approval and examining chemical, physical, and microbiological properties as well as the toxicology of the most widely used commercial chemicals.
  • Potable Aqua® emergency drinking water germicidal tablets are produced by the Wisconsin Pharmacal Co., Jackson WI 53037. 800-558-6614 pharmacalway.com
  • Principles and Practice of Disinfection, Preservation and Sterilization (Hardcover)
    by A. D. Russell (Editor), W. B. Hugo (Editor), G. A. J. Ayliffe (Editor), Blackwell Science, 2004. ISBN-10: 1405101997, ISBN-13: 978-1405101998.
    "This superb book is the best of its kind available and one that will undoubtedly be useful, if not essential, to workers in a variety of industries. Thirty-one distinguished specialists deal comprehensively with the subject matter indicated by the title ... The book is produced with care, is very readable with useful selected references at the end of each chapter and an excellent index. It is an essential source book for everyone interested in this field. For pharmacy undergraduates, it will complement the excellent text on pharmaceutical microbiology by two of the present editors."
    The Pharmaceutical Journal: "This is an excellent book. It deals comprehensively and authoritatively with its subject with contributions from 31 distinguished specialists. There is a great deal to interest all those involved in hospital infection ... This book is exceptionally well laid out. There are well chosen references for each chapter and an excellent index. It is highly recommended." The Journal of Hospital Infection.: "The editors and authors must be congratulated for this excellent treatise on nonantibiotic antimicrobial measures in hospitals and industry ... The publication is highly recommended to hospital and research personnel, especially to clinical microbiologists, infection-control and environmental-safety specialists, pharmacists, and dieticians."
    New England Journal of Medicine: City Hospital, Birmingham, UK. Covers the many methods of the elimination or prevention of microbial growth. Provides an historical overview, descriptions of the types of antimicrobial agents, factors affecting efficacy, evaluation methods, and types of resistance. Features sterilization methods, and more. Previous edition: c1999. DNLM: Sterilization--methods.
  • U.S. Army Field Manual 21-10, Field Hygiene and Sanitation, 1988, web search 07/02/2010, original source: http://www.enlisted.info/field-manuals/fm-21-10-field-hygiene-and-sanitation.shtml
    The purpose of this manual is to assist individual soldiers, unit commanders, leaders and field sanitation teams in preventing disease and environmental injuries. The manual provides information on preventive medicine measures (PMM) to the individual soldier as well as essential information for the unit commander, unit leaders, and the unit field sanitation team on applying unit level PMM.
  • When Technology Fails, Matthew Stein, Chelsea Green Publisher, 2008,493 pages. ISBN-10: 1933392452 ISBN-13: 978-1933392455, "... how to find and sterilize water in the face of utility failure, as well as practical information for dealing with water-quality issues even when the public tap water is still flowing". Mr. Stein's website is www.whentechfails.com/
  • ...
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