01-25-2025, 06:12 PM
Yeah, lead solder was banned in copper plumbing in 1986. Anything built before that date would definitely be a problem and since there was no enforcement, plumbers could have used stock on hand for several years after that.
Bronze fittings that contained lead were common back then too and brass faucets used to contain lead up to that time.
Roofing panels and nails are also a major source. My house in Kapoho had an aluminum roof that was installed in 1972 and was still in perfect condition in 2018 when Pele decided to recycle my house.
The aluminum panels were fastened down with galvanized roofing nails that had a lead cap on the head.
Corrosion rusted those heads off and when I drained the concrete catchment tank the bottom had thousands of those lead pieces in the bottom.
I replaced those nails with stainless screws. At that time we had county water so the catchment was used for irrigation.
Best practice is to let the cold water run until the water in the pipes has been flushed out before drinking it and never use hot water for cooking.
Bronze fittings that contained lead were common back then too and brass faucets used to contain lead up to that time.
Roofing panels and nails are also a major source. My house in Kapoho had an aluminum roof that was installed in 1972 and was still in perfect condition in 2018 when Pele decided to recycle my house.
The aluminum panels were fastened down with galvanized roofing nails that had a lead cap on the head.
Corrosion rusted those heads off and when I drained the concrete catchment tank the bottom had thousands of those lead pieces in the bottom.
I replaced those nails with stainless screws. At that time we had county water so the catchment was used for irrigation.
Best practice is to let the cold water run until the water in the pipes has been flushed out before drinking it and never use hot water for cooking.