Forum:

urban gardening

lead in dramm products. problems? alternatives?

Posts: 82

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Hello,
I noticed that a couple of Dramm products I purchased online (a stop valve and extension wand for a hose have warning labels regarding lead being used in their brass hardware.

I am concerned. Should I be?

Are their alternative manufacturers that people suggest for nozzles and shut off valves that are professional quality?

CAM00447.jpg

David Livingston

pollinator

Posts: 4328

Location: Anjou ,France

262

posted 11 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

I would advise against using strong acid because it might not just dissolve the lead . Why dont you contact the manufactor and ask them how much lead there is in the product . I have noticed that there are people in the USA who believe that raw milk is bad for you . It could be that there are very low levels of lead , as there are in many products and the company is just trying to stop possible litigation.

David

Living in Anjou , France,
For the many not for the few
http://www.permies.com/t/80/31583/projects/Permie-Pennies-France#330873

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4142

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

327

posted 11 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

CA prop 65 is guilty until proven innocent. You have to put that statement on it unless you do the $$$$$ paperwork and testing to prove it is lead free. It has created a boy that cried wolf problem in the statements have lost most of their meaning.

If it does have "normal" levels of lead either in the brass or in any solder used, you could eat the entire valve and not get enough lead to hurt you. A young child could have issues, so the warning is not without cause.

"You must be the change you want to see in the world." "First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." --Mahatma Gandhi
"Preach the Gospel always, and if necessary, use words." --Francis of Assisi.
"Family farms work when the whole family works the farm." -- Adam Klaus

Jp Learn

Posts: 82

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

Thank you both for your thoughtful replies.

Curius to know if anyone recommends any other manufacturers still? Gilmour?

R Scott

pollinator

Posts: 4142

Location: Kansas Zone 6a

327

posted 11 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

http://www.gemplers.com/product/217872/Lead-free-Garden-Nozzle?gclid=CMfx_oORmL8CFc9j7AodmRoAOQ&sku=217872&CID=25SEPLA&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=217872&ef_id=UXGVlQAABe8McCCp20140626180722s

Products are coming, but choices are slim.

You can rig one yourself with plumbing parts--one ball valve, one shower neck and head, and a garden hose adapter. Pretty pricey, but can be done and a much better product.

allen lumley

pollinator

Posts: 4154

Location: Northern New York Zone4-5 the OUTER 'RONDACs percip 36''

I like...

posted 11 years ago

Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

- This is something that I was toldMany years ago while working in our family hardware store, that the castings for pluming parts are all made from molds decades -
or more older, and that after minimal grinding to remove excess material mostly 'mold marks' They are mostly all run through a process that dips them in molten lead
lead/tin ( and some percent of dross and impurities) to 'gift ' to the final customer a smoother flowing unit than would normally happen without this step !

I have heard of one kitchen sink or deck faucet manufacturer who said that they had stopped the use of lead in 'final assembly' but that was a few years ago, and I
don't remember which manufacturer it was !

There may be another explanation for this, it is what I was told, and I ask you to take this story for what its worth ! Big AL !

Success has a Thousand Fathers , Failure is an Orphan

LOOK AT THE " SIMILAR THREADS " BELOW !

John Suavecito

gardener

Posts: 4417

689

I like...

posted 11 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

You could ask your state Environmental Action Group. In OR where i live it is th Oregon Environmental Council. The one for your state would probably know.
Johns
PDX OR

Check out Redhawk's soil series: https://permies.com/wiki/redhawk-soil

Randy Tipton

Posts: 7

posted 11 years ago

1
Number of slices to send:

Optional 'thank-you' note:

Send

If it's for your garden, I remember in a podcast Geoff saying lead is only an issue to the plants if the acidity is 3.5 or below. (pretty sure he said 3.5) That's the range where plants start to absorb it. If you're above that number then you should be fine.

All of the following truths are shameless lies. But what about this tiny ad:

Switching from electric heat to a rocket mass heater reduces your carbon footprint as much as parking 7 cars

http://woodheat.net