A polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is made from a plastic and vinyl combination material. The pipes are durable, hard to damage, and long lasting. A PVC pipe does not rust, rot, or wear over time. For that reason, PVC piping is most commonly used in water systems, underground wiring, and sewer lines.

PVC was first developed in 1925 when a BF Goodrich employee, Dr. Waldo Semon, attempted to invent a method for bonding metal and rubber. After blending materials together to create a strong and flexible material, Semon discovered PVC. Nonetheless, the product remained virtually useless for another decade. In the late 1930's, PVC was found to have great shock absorbing abilities. This discovery led to the creation of long lasting PVC tire treads, which were created with flexible forms of PVC.

Two decades later, PVC pipe was invented. By heating the PVC material, a special machine called an extruder could be used to push the PVC into hollow pipes. This PVC pipe was extremely solid and virtually indestructible. Using PVC pipes for irrigation systems proved to be effective. PVC pipe has since been considered an affordable and reliable means for water piping.

Due to the ability of PVC pipe to withstand extreme movement and bending, it is also increasingly used in earthquake prone areas. PVC pipe can withstand the rigorous shaking of the earth without experiencing any damage. The smooth surface of the PVC pipe is also resistant to bacterial contamination, such as E. coli. Therefore, many water companies rely on PVC pipe in their systems in order to keep them free of contamination.

Unfortunately, the material used in PVC pipe appears to be detrimental to a person's health and safety. Reported cases of PVC pipe shattering when used with high-pressured gases have increased drastically. The Federal Government has issued safety warnings, which strongly recommend using alternative piping material. In addition, the heavy metals used to create PVC pipe can leach out when heated. The vapors emitted from the heated PVC pipe are now being linked to certain forms of cancer, especially lung cancer.