Many consumers may unknowingly bring a hidden danger into their homes when they purchase faucets online. Some faucets sold on platforms like Amazon have been found to leach lead into drinking water. Lead exposure can cause serious health risks—especially to children, who are more vulnerable to lead exposure. Lead contamination can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and other severe lifelong health effects. To safeguard your household, always check for NSF/ANSI 61 certification when buying a faucet, which ensures it meets safety standards, and choose lead-free plumbing fixtures labeled "NSF/ANSI 372." Consider calling your water company or local health department to inquire about testing your water. Don't let an invisible threat compromise your family's well-being—choose safe, certified faucets to keep your drinking water clean and lead-free.
Safety tips to keep the lead out:
- Look for faucets that comply with NSF/ANSI Standard 61 and NSF/ANSI 372, which sets the criteria for drinking water system product safety, including maximum allowable levels of lead and other chemical contaminants.
- The more time water sits in faucets and pipes, the more lead it may contain. Before drinking, thoroughly flush water through your faucet and pipes. For more information on lead in drinking water please visit Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water | US EPA or About Lead in Drinking Water | Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention | CDC.
- Use only cold water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula. Boiling water does not remove lead from water.
- Regularly clean or replace your faucet’s screen (also known as an aerator) when used for drinking or cooking water to remove sediment and particles.
- Call your local health department or water company to inquire about testing your water or visit epa.gov/safewater for EPA’s lead in drinking water information.
- For more information about lead in drinking water, please contact EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791. If you have other questions about lead poisoning prevention, call 1-800-424-LEAD.
- Also check out: Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home | CPSC.gov.