Plumbing

Legionella is a bacterium that causes a form of potentially fatal pneumonia. Legionella can thrive in water-containing systems such as air conditioning, industrial water heating and water-cooling systems, safety shower and eyewash stations, pools, spas, water features, potable water plumbing, and industrial process lines. These pollutants can potentially lead to claims of severe bodily injury or high remediation costs, and plumbing contractors can be held liable if their work contributed to legionella growth.

Typical adhesives, sealants, and caulking used for installations contain pollutants such as ammonia-based compounds, alkylated benzenes, petroleum distillates, carbon black, titanium dioxide, glycols, benzoate derivatives, silica, siloxanes, naphthas, and isocyanates. These substances can volatilize during use and be inhaled by building occupants, which can cause third-party bodily injury.

During soldering, brazing, and welding, metal fumes are produced and released into the air, and third parties could be exposed to these fumes. Additionally, compressed welding gases, solvents, and other chemicals used by plumbers may be flammable and explosive. Leaks in cylinders, valves, or malfunctioning regulators may result in a fire or explosion at a jobsite. Fires and explosions can generate smoke and toxic fumes that impact third parties, and firefighting water or foam could create contaminated run-off.

Generated wastes, such as spent chemicals, solvents, cleaners, and jobsite waste, which may contain asbestos and lead, may be considered hazardous and require special disposal procedures. Contractors are responsible for determining if their wastes are considered hazardous, and improper disposal can lead to environmental tort liability and cleanup costs.

Cleaners or scale removal chemicals contain one or more acids, such as sulfamic, phosphoric, or hydrochloric acid formulations, with/without surfactants or bacteriostatic agents. Fumes from these chemicals can be corrosive, toxic, or irritating. Improper storage or handling of these chemicals could result in accidental contact with incompatible materials, such as alkali materials, and result in a violent reaction, corrosive damage, or release of toxic vapors.

Accidental spills and leaks of chemicals, cleaners, solvents, and adhesives at the storage location, during transportation, and at the jobsite may cause additional exposures and cleanup.

Leaks in sewer lines may result in the migration of sewer gases into living/work areas and utility conduits. Hydrogen sulfide in gases can cause odor issues, which may be considered a pollution condition. Additionally, plumbing breaks or gaps can cause sewage leaks, and pathogens contained in sewage may infiltrate nearby subsurface utilities and drinking water wells. Persons exposed to sewer pathogens may contract hepatitis, dysentery, tetanus, cholera, or parasite infection.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), lead, and other constituents may leach from piping, solder fluxes, sealants, pipe adhesives, pastes, etc., into fluids circulating through the pipes, causing potential harm to third parties. Some piping products can also off-gas VOCs and cause odors, which can result in third-party claims.

Plumbing contractors may replace mercury-containing gas regulators or use mercury-containing manometers to test natural gas lines, which could cause a mercury spill. When spilled, Mercury forms a toxic vapor, and third parties can be exposed. Cleanup and third-party bodily injury and property damage claims can result.

Accidental disturbance of existing asbestos, lead-based paint, PCBs, or mold during installation, repair, or renovation work could release hazardous particulates that cause serious health hazards and require environmental cleanup.