that many garden hoses are made with PVC that has lead in it (and apparently the brass fittings also have lead in them)? At least this is what I’ve just been reading… And (if you’re like us and do not put your garden hoses away when the sun is shining) if garden hoses have been exposed to the sun for long amounts of time, the lead that leaches from the hose into the water leaving the hose is higher. So glad that the hose I’ve been using to water the garden for the past 2 years has never been covered or put in the shed… so much for my organic garden? Next up for today, looking for new hoses!
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- ekbo
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- July 23rd, 2010
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In doing a little more reading, it seems plants are not likely to absorb much lead – tho leafy crops will absorb more than fruiting crops (really, it’s the part that’s eaten that varies in lead level absorption). So the main concern with garden hoses is to not drink water directly from the hose — ah, I remember doing that as a kid tho I also remember being told it wasn’t good to do but never understanding why that was.
I find this very bothersome in general b/c I’ve never heard this before and apparently a law-suit was settled in 2004 regarding lead in hoses – not that it would be removed, but that warning labels are now required that say something to the effect of ‘don’t drink water from this hose.’ However, if your hose says it is safe to drink water from, then you’re in the clear!
The kids and I were drinking out of our new hose last week. I didn’t see any comments about the drinkability of the water. I guess we won’t be doing that anymore.