Environmental Impacts of Emissions from Cured-in-Place Pipe Installation: Initial Results from a Case Study

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining is a widely adopted method for infrastructure renewal, offering advantages, such as rapid installation and cost-effectiveness. However, concerns regarding the environmental impacts of volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions during the installation process have raised concerns over the CIPP method. The literature review conducted with this research indicated the need for stringent monitoring and management practices to mitigate adverse effects, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive evaluation protocols. This paper presents initial results from a case study focusing on VOC emissions, specifically investigating non-styrene polyester resins and water curing. The methodology involved air sampling using various equipments, including photoionization detectors (PID), summa canisters, passive worker sampler sorbent tubes, and method 18 cartridges, to capture emissions from CIPP activities. The preliminary findings indicate that non-styrene polyester resins do not exceed exposure limits set out by OSHA and the EPA. Future phases of this project will explore different resins and curing methods, with findings to be published in subsequent papers.