I also found this on the net
Plastic pipes can contaminate drinking water, too. Solvent glues used to join sections of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe contain dimethylformamide, a chemical linked to birth defects in lab animals. PVC pipe, as well as polybutylene and polyethylene pipes, may also allow organic chemicals to leach into the water at concentrations higher than recommended federal safety levels. Tests have also detected several other suspected carcinogens in water flowing through plastic pipe, including DEHP, a plasticizer used to make pipe more flexible. So what kind of pipe is best? Copper pipe with mechanical fittings appears to be the healthiest plumbing system to date. Though it's more costly, it eliminates lead from your water. A more practical answer is copper pipe with lead-free (and antimony-free) solder, available at hardware stores and plumbing supply companies. When using copper pipe, be sure your water has a normal pH, about 7 or so. If pH is low, water will have to be treated to raise the pH so traces of copper won't leach into the water.
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