Exceeding lead levels in faucets is not news in the industry, but this issue seems to have been ignored. According to statistics, as many as 70% of consumers do not know that taps will cause secondary water pollution. Using faucets with excessive lead can lead to heavy metal poisoning and endanger family health. With the rapid development of science and technology today, while our quality of life is improving, the health hazards around us are also increasing. Let us understand the problem of excessive lead in faucets and teach you how to choose high-quality faucets.
Recognizing the hidden health hazards
A few days ago, a number of well-known international and domestic brands of faucet products were detected to contain excessive lead. If people drink tap water that is secondarily polluted by a tap with excessive lead content for a long time, they will unknowingly absorb excessive lead in the body, which will cause heavy metal poisoning and cause immeasurable damage.
1. Pay attention to the problem of excessive lead in faucets
The results showed that in 2013, there were 21 batches of substandard products among the 68 batches of faucet products inspected in Shanghai, 和 7 batches of products were tested for excessive lead or chromium. 他们之中, the most serious amount of lead precipitation reached 173 micrograms per liter, which exceeded the national standard by 34 次. Compared with previous surveys, lead levels in faucets have increased unabated.
2. Why does the problem of lead exceeding the standard increase repeatedly?
It is understood that the lead content is different in international and domestic standards. The United States has specifically enacted a lead-free law for faucets, stipulating that the lead content of faucets shall not exceed 0.25%. European and American countries are also actively enacting related laws. In our country, the standard for lead content in water dragons has not formulated a uniform legal requirement. The current standards are only recommendations and are not enforced, which intensifies the problem of excessive lead.
3. Why does lead precipitate in the faucet?
Faucets are mainly made of copper alloys. In order to save costs and improve production efficiency, some companies add a certain amount of lead to the production and processing of copper alloys. Lead elements can form a protective film in contact with air, and protect the lead in the film under long-term erosion. The molecules may precipitate out.
同时, because tap water uses chlorine as a disinfectant, the residual chlorine in the water will accelerate the aging of the faucet and the precipitation of lead. Copper faucets and water pipes generally used for more than 5 years will greatly increase the release of lead.
Fourth, guard against lead poisoning, great health hazards
Lead is a heavy metal element that harms the human nerves, blood, bones, digestion, reproduction and other systems. It is designated as one of the carcinogens by the International Cancer Organization. The harm of lead poisoning is serious damage to the nervous system, which can lead to unresponsiveness, decreased intelligence, and decreased memory. Lead is particularly harmful to children. The absorption rate of lead by children is 8 times that of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning seriously affects children’s mental and physical development.
Health is important to look at the purchasing skills of high-quality faucets
We use water every day. The health of water affects the health of our family members, and the faucet and water are closely connected. For safety and health, we should buy a reliable, water-saving and durable faucet when decorating the home.
1. Look for the brand to be guaranteed
Consumers should go to the regular market and buy well-known brands when buying faucets, so that they can choose products that are assured. The use of faucets is related to the health of your family, and you must not be greedy for cheap. There should be brand logo, quality assurance and after-sales service instructions in the regular faucet packing box. Remind everyone to be cautious when buying. In order to ensure that the lead content does not exceed the standard, try to choose stainless steel faucets.
Second, observe the surface coating
In order to prevent the faucet from being oxidized, the surface of the faucet will be plated with a layer of nickel or chromium after being polished. Nickel or chromium has the function of resisting neutral hydrochloric acid and protects the faucet from corrosion for a long time. When purchasing, check in a well-lit place. The faucet surface has no oxidation spots, no pores, no leakage of plating, bubbles, and burn marks, and a good product with uniform color and no burrs and sand.
3. Pay attention to the internal structure and material
When buying, you should ask for the manual to understand the internal structure of the faucet. The faucet with ceramic core valve is recommended. This core valve is made of highly durable ceramics. Even at 60 pounds of water pressure, it can open and close freely without leakage. For gaskets, the recommended silicon gasket can withstand the pressure of cold and hot water without leakage.
Fourth, check the structure of the leading switch
After **, check the rationality of the product design. First move the switch a few times to check whether the components are tightly matched. When you twist the switch, it feels softer. If the hand feels astringent or light, it means that its assembly structure is unreasonable. Such a faucet may have insufficient water output during use, or leak water when the water pressure increases.
Health Tips Daily Maintenance Coup to Reduce the Harm of Excessive Lead
Due to the chaotic market, it is difficult for consumers to choose lead-free faucets. In this regard, you can take some cleaning and maintenance tricks to reduce the harm of excessive lead in daily use.
1. Knowledgeable in receiving water to ensure healthy drinking
Experts suggest that when you turn on the faucet every morning, you can leave it empty for a while, and store the water for flushing the bathroom and mopping the floor. Because the water when the faucet is first opened often contains more harmful substances, such as more lead. For the same reason, a faucet that has not been turned on for a long time cannot be used for drinking immediately.
2. The longer the time, the more lead will be precipitated. Regular replacement
Change the tap regularly. 如今, chlorine is often used as a disinfectant in tap water. Residual chlorine compounds in the water will aggravate the precipitation of lead in the tap. Generally speaking, if the copper alloy faucet is used for more than 5 年, the amount of lead precipitation will greatly increase. 所以, it is recommended that the faucet in residents’ homes should not be used too long.
3. Diligent in cleaning up to remove impurities in the screen
If after using for a period of time, it is found that the water output is reduced, or even the water heater turns off, it may be that the screen is blocked by water and sand. At this time, gently unscrew the screen cover at the water outlet of the faucet to remove impurities. Generally speaking, cleaning the impurities of the screen regularly, once every three months, is better for the water quality and the health of the family.
Fourth, clean the faucet to protect the outer coating
In order to protect the coating of the faucet, use a wrung soft cotton cloth to wipe when cleaning, do not wipe directly with a wet towel to avoid leaving scale, and do not wipe with burrs to damage the coating. Avoid letting the faucet come into contact with acid-base liquids. You can spray a neutral detergent on a soft cloth and gently wipe the faucet.
Five, prevent the aging of the coating, use protein insurance
The gold-plated part of the gold-plated product is very easy to fall off and lose its luster, and protein can be used to maintain the luster of the plating. Beat the egg whites with a whisk until slightly bubbling, then wash the faucet with warm water and wipe it dry, then dip a little egg whites and gently wipe on the gold-plated part to protect the gloss of the coating.