A study of the permeability of polyethylene pipe by organic compounds

A study was made of the permeability of polyethylene pipe by organic solvents and compounds. Samples of pipe from medium- to high-density polyethylene were exposed for 24 hours to organic solvents and compounds in solution. Permeability was determined by extracting the exposed samples with dichloromethane and analyzing the extracts by gas chromatography. The results indicate that permeability is reproducibly measurable by this method. 2 figs., 2 tabs.