As a product of climate change, fire events are becoming increasingly more common, causing concern for elevated levels of contaminants entering water distribution systems and threatening water sources used by the public. It is important to understand these types of contaminants and how they will affect populations in the future. This project aimed to improve upon a burn methodology, develop a chemical analysis procedure, and collect data on chemical contaminants released into water following fires. Spheres composed of sawdust and paraffin wax in combination with either high-density polyethylene, chemical resistant polyvinyl chloride, or neoprene rubber were burned and then suppressed in a water reservoir. Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry, concentrations of benzene, naphthalene, ethylbenzene, anthracene, and pyrene were identified in several water samples. Benzene concentrations exceeding Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for drinking water were detected in water samples, indicating a need for monitoring and possible treatment of water discharged after fires. Benzene concentrations were also compared to allowable daily discharges for oil companies in Massachusetts and were found to be above levels set in 2021. Concentrations of naphthalene, anthracene, pyrene, and ethylbenzene detected did not exceed EPA MCLs but are still concerning as they are known carcinogens.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Tang, Dayna
• Marcoux, Luke
• Mullin, Emily

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042723-091528
• 105781

Keyword

• Fire
• Water Contamination

Advisor

• Bergendahl, John Andrew
• Ranellone, Raymond
• Rangwala, Ali S.
• Jayachandran, Jagannath

Year

• 2023

Date created

• 2023-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Environmental Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• Civil Engineering

Source

• E-project-042723-091528

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-06-21