4 ms·

But what will it be replaced with? HDPE? If it’s plastic based, it seems that instead of lead we’ll get microplastics and other plasticizers. Neither are good.

But what will it be replaced with? HDPE? If it’s plastic based, it seems that instead of lead we’ll get microplastics and other plasticizers. Neither are good. At least with lead is that if the pH is correctly maintained than I believe the risk is actually negligible. There isn’t anything you can do for plastic to prevent its leaching and degradation.

xboxnolifes 2y ago
Don't let perfect be the enemy of better.
exmadscientist 2y ago
>If it’s plastic based, it seems that instead of lead we’ll get microplastics and other plasticizers. There are many different types of plastics, and many (most?) do not use plasticizers. You are in negligible danger of exposure to them from polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE/XLPE). The main source of plasticizer exposure is flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (also rigid PVC isn't nearly so bad); you might also be thinking of polycarbonate, for which the monomers themselves are intrinsically rather nasty, or for polyurethane, which has similar issues but not quite so bad. Microplastics are a problem everywhere. But, seriously, if you're going to criticize things, and there are a few valid criticisms of plastic piping... please learn about what you're criticizing so you can make the correct criticisms and not just make unuseful knee-jerk statements.
- azinman2 2y ago
  Is there any plastic that is just carbon chains? My understanding is all plastics contain additives. This [1] is just one study of many that show HDPE (and other plastics) leaching phthalates. Please don’t come at me or anyone with the ad hominem attacks. This is something I have looked in to in the past, and is of great concern of mine. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848201/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848201/
dyauspitr 2y ago
We know for sure that lead causes retarded mental growth in kids, especially if they are under 6. The issue of microplastics is less studied and given a choice between the two I would go with plastic.
itronitron 2y ago
There is no minimum safe level for lead.

xboxnolifes 2y ago

Don't let perfect be the enemy of better.

exmadscientist 2y ago

>If it’s plastic based, it seems that instead of lead we’ll get microplastics and other plasticizers. There are many different types of plastics, and many (most?) do not use plasticizers. You are in negligible danger of exposure to them from polyethylene (HDPE/LDPE/XLPE). The main source of plasticizer exposure is flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (also rigid PVC isn't nearly so bad); you might also be thinking of polycarbonate, for which the monomers themselves are intrinsically rather nasty, or for polyurethane, which has similar issues but not quite so bad. Microplastics are a problem everywhere. But, seriously, if you're going to criticize things, and there are a few valid criticisms of plastic piping... please learn about what you're criticizing so you can make the correct criticisms and not just make unuseful knee-jerk statements.

azinman2 2y ago
Is there any plastic that is just carbon chains? My understanding is all plastics contain additives. This [1] is just one study of many that show HDPE (and other plastics) leaching phthalates. Please don’t come at me or anyone with the ad hominem attacks. This is something I have looked in to in the past, and is of great concern of mine. [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848201/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5848201/

dyauspitr 2y ago

We know for sure that lead causes retarded mental growth in kids, especially if they are under 6. The issue of microplastics is less studied and given a choice between the two I would go with plastic.

itronitron 2y ago

There is no minimum safe level for lead.