Although more analysis is forthcoming, investigations into the causation of the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion so far indicate improper materials may have been a contributing factor:
The group headed by the National Transportation Safety Board investigating the Sept. 9 natural gas pipeline rupture and explosion that killed eight people in San Bruno, Calif., released an interim report that ruled out outside corrosion and damage caused by a third party as the cause for the blast, but found that part of the pipe near the rupture was constructed with seam-welded pipe, which owner Pacific Gas & Electric reported as seamless.
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Image courtesy Pipeline Journal
AEC Forensics 