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Lead isn't used in new copper installations nor in bronze fittings for potable water.

hedora 3y ago
Lead is still legal in hot water supply lines, which is why you can only get “hot water” fixtures for certain sizes of lines at Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-FIP-x-3-4-in-FIP-x-24-in-Stainless-Steel-Water-Heater-Supply-Line-EBBC-07-24a/206527409 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-FIP-x-3-4-in-FIP... This is the only choice for 3/4 FIP that I can find there. Such lines are used by our water filter and softener. The brass connectors are leaded, and it has a prop 65 warning. The end result of this loophole is that you probably have at least some leaded plumbing in your home. Edit: From the product manual. > Important Information Stainless Steel Water Heater Water Connectors > WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. > Lead Free: The wetted surface of this product contacted by consumable water contains less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of lead by weight. Note that the wetted surface standard is because this part is electroplated, and they test it with intact plating. The manual goes on to say you need to inspect it every 6 months, or more often if you have hard water. I’m guessing most people don’t disassemble and reassemble their home’s plumbing supply lines every few months to see if the brass has been exposed due to contact with water.
- huytersd 3y ago
  It says lead free though. Are you sure it’s not actually lead free brass and not the free machining kind?
  - hedora 3y ago
    They define lead free in the sentence that makes the claim. The last time I looked carefully at this part, I found it was illegal to use it for drinking water supplies. This would be less of a big deal if they stocked lines for potable water, but they do not.
- toomuchtodo 3y ago
  This is why you shouldn’t drink or cook with hot water supply. https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinking-cooking-or-making-baby-formula https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinki...
  - mynameisnoone 3y ago
    Yep, that's one reason. And, in general, don't water plants with it either. Also, in houses with soft water, typically the only inside non-soft water supply is the cold kitchen tap. Poorly repiped homes skip this step and deliver soft water to all taps, none of which can be used to water plants. Furthermore, in the US, it's foolish to make it a habit to drink or cook with tap water when RO is available. US tap water has never been universally safe and reliable, most of it tastes terrible, and there is no reason to not protect your family and yourself with an insurance policy should there be a water safety problem.
    - earthling8118 3y ago
      Most of us don't have any ability to install a system like that. I'm not even supposed to nail things into the wall, let alone install a RO water system in my rental.

Lead is still legal in hot water supply lines, which is why you can only get “hot water” fixtures for certain sizes of lines at Home Depot: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-FIP-x-3-4-in-FIP-x-24-in-Stainless-Steel-Water-Heater-Supply-Line-EBBC-07-24a/206527409 https://www.homedepot.com/p/Everbilt-3-4-in-FIP-x-3-4-in-FIP... This is the only choice for 3/4 FIP that I can find there. Such lines are used by our water filter and softener. The brass connectors are leaded, and it has a prop 65 warning. The end result of this loophole is that you probably have at least some leaded plumbing in your home. Edit: From the product manual. > Important Information Stainless Steel Water Heater Water Connectors > WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. > Lead Free: The wetted surface of this product contacted by consumable water contains less than one quarter of one percent (0.25%) of lead by weight. Note that the wetted surface standard is because this part is electroplated, and they test it with intact plating. The manual goes on to say you need to inspect it every 6 months, or more often if you have hard water. I’m guessing most people don’t disassemble and reassemble their home’s plumbing supply lines every few months to see if the brass has been exposed due to contact with water.

huytersd 3y ago
It says lead free though. Are you sure it’s not actually lead free brass and not the free machining kind?
- hedora 3y ago
  They define lead free in the sentence that makes the claim. The last time I looked carefully at this part, I found it was illegal to use it for drinking water supplies. This would be less of a big deal if they stocked lines for potable water, but they do not.
toomuchtodo 3y ago
This is why you shouldn’t drink or cook with hot water supply. https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinking-cooking-or-making-baby-formula https://www.epa.gov/lead/why-cant-i-use-hot-water-tap-drinki...
- mynameisnoone 3y ago
  Yep, that's one reason. And, in general, don't water plants with it either. Also, in houses with soft water, typically the only inside non-soft water supply is the cold kitchen tap. Poorly repiped homes skip this step and deliver soft water to all taps, none of which can be used to water plants. Furthermore, in the US, it's foolish to make it a habit to drink or cook with tap water when RO is available. US tap water has never been universally safe and reliable, most of it tastes terrible, and there is no reason to not protect your family and yourself with an insurance policy should there be a water safety problem.
  - earthling8118 3y ago
    Most of us don't have any ability to install a system like that. I'm not even supposed to nail things into the wall, let alone install a RO water system in my rental.