Pick your poison:
Although the health side-effects of copper plumbing are relatively uncommon, the EPA lists copper as a contaminant in drinking water. The maximum permissible level is 1.3 mg/L. The Plumbing Manufacturer's Institute is aware of instances of copper-related illnesses. New copper installations, coupled with aggressive or acidic water can be a toxic combination. The acid pulls copper molecules into the water supply and can cause nausea and abdominal discomfort. Furthermore, older copper installations, including faucets, may contain higher levels of lead, including lead solder which was commonly used before 1987.
According to Fine Homebuilding Magazine, "although copper is resistant to corrosion, there are conditions that copper tubing doesn't like. They include hard well water; soft, acidic water; excessive water velocity or turbulence in the line; too much flux during installation; and what the Copper Development Association calls "aggressive soil conditions." Those who have had trouble with thinner-walled tubing may switch to type L or type K for longer service life."
Copper proponents point out that this is not a "pipe" problem, but a water pH problem and that the source of the aggressive water should be rectified. However, this is not always practical, particularly with in many rural areas where wells are common. In severe situations, pH neutralizers are available which can treat incoming water to provide more benign conditions to copper pipe.
Acid neutralizers for a single family dwelling are available for less than $500 and can treat incoming water with pH of 5.5-6.9, depending on model. Anything under a pH of 7 is considered acidic and should be treated. Calcite and Corosex are used to raise the pH of the water. Generally, a whole house sediment filter is recommend to be placed after treatment to remove unwanted contaminants.
With respect to possible lead poisoning, much has been written about the harmful effects lead can have, particularly on young children whose brains are in a state of rapid development. Lead has been linked to learning disabilities and other side effects which are irreversible. If you suspect that your drinking water contains lead, have it tested by a certified laboratory. Testing of so called "first water", which is what comes out of the tap initially is compared to water which has been flowing for several minutes. Levels of lead are determined. Often, simply by running water for 20 seconds prior to drinking it is a good safety precaution if your pipes contain lead solder. Brass fixtures, particularly those made before 1987, may contain high levels of lead than permitted by current standards.
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) requires that after June 19, 1986 only "lead free" pipe, solder or flux may be used in the installation or repair of (1) Public Water Systems, or (2) any plumbing in residential or non-residential facility providing water for human consumption, which is connected to a Public Water System. Under section 1417(d), "lead free" as defined in the SDWA means that solders and flux may not contain more than 0.2 percent lead, and pipes, pipe fittings, and well pumps may not contain more than 8.0 percent lead.
Cast fittings are made from Copper Alloy C84400 which consists of 81% Copper, 7% Lead, 3% Tin and 9% Zinc per ASTM Specification B584. Wrot Copper fittings are made from commercially pure copper mill products per ASTM Specifications B75 Allow C12200.
Today, copper pipe made in the US generally conforms to very high levels of purity with virtually no lead or other minerals. The final product is called phosphorus-deoxidized, high residual phosphorus copper. It bears the designation C12200 under the Unified Numbering System (UNS) used to identify metals and alloys. This copper is 99.9%+ copper (Cu), and is of essentially the same purity as fire-refined copper produced from ore. It is produced to the specifications of ASTM B88. |
