01-30-2014, 02:48 PM
The cattle panels are essentially fence panels of 1/4" galvanized steel rods running horizontally and vertically welded where they cross, forming rectangular openings. The tar paper and liner bulges out through each square slightly.
The liner will last a few years. I have hunks of that plastic that have been lying around in the sun that long without any protection. In this application the plastic is relatively protected. As for food grade issues, I frankly think the risk is overblown. I don't doubt that lead paint or solder is bad, but this ain't lead paint. As for the exercise ball, you've got a point. I opened it in the car and the stench of fresh plastic nearly knocked me out. For that matter I couldn't figure out where the smell of burning brakes was coming from as I installed the shade cloth until I looked down at the wadded fabric in my arms. Still, I doubt that there are any heavy metals in either and the contact with the water is very small.
Are vinyl gutters food grade? Also I painted the roof with latex paint. Then there's the solar panels on the roof... I use county water for drinking. I assume that the blue 5 gal water cubes are food grade as well as the clear 5 gal menehune water jugs. There is a lot we take for granted. I bought a hose that was supposed to be food grade, but I have drunk from hoses all my life that were not. For the majority of my life there was no such designation as food grade.
The liner will last a few years. I have hunks of that plastic that have been lying around in the sun that long without any protection. In this application the plastic is relatively protected. As for food grade issues, I frankly think the risk is overblown. I don't doubt that lead paint or solder is bad, but this ain't lead paint. As for the exercise ball, you've got a point. I opened it in the car and the stench of fresh plastic nearly knocked me out. For that matter I couldn't figure out where the smell of burning brakes was coming from as I installed the shade cloth until I looked down at the wadded fabric in my arms. Still, I doubt that there are any heavy metals in either and the contact with the water is very small.
Are vinyl gutters food grade? Also I painted the roof with latex paint. Then there's the solar panels on the roof... I use county water for drinking. I assume that the blue 5 gal water cubes are food grade as well as the clear 5 gal menehune water jugs. There is a lot we take for granted. I bought a hose that was supposed to be food grade, but I have drunk from hoses all my life that were not. For the majority of my life there was no such designation as food grade.