Garden hoses are really awesome. Backed up with a hose reel, a garden hose can save time and resources. However, during the summer, things can get a little hot when gardening.
However, the scorching heat can make you thirsty and you might be tempted to save time and just drink water from a garden hose. The same is true when you have a mini pool on your lawn and your kids are having fun. It’s almost impossible for them not to drink out of the hose.
However, it is generally not safe to drink water from a garden hose. The water might contain harmful bacteria and the hose sometimes contains chemicals that can contaminate the water. This article focuses on some of the chemicals you can find in your garden hose so you’ll be aware of the harm they can cause.
Chemicals Present in Garden Hoses
One study conducted in America tested about 200 garden hoses to check for the presence of toxins. The study showed that there were several toxins present in the garden hoses. Some of the toxins present there include lead, phthalates, antimony, and bromine in PVC hoses. However, these toxins are not present in non-PVC hoses.
Garden hoses are not the only thing that can cause toxicity. Sometimes, the metal fixtures used with hoses do not meet the standards set by the appropriate authorities. In such cases, even if the garden hose does not contain any toxins, the metal fittings might be the ones contaminating the water.
1· Lead
One study carried out by the Ecology Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, discovered very high levels of lead way above the standard set by the Safe Water Drinking Act in America. Some hoses even have a lead content of over 100ppm. Even tiny amounts of lead in water can be very harmful to your body.
2· BPA
BPA is commonly found in plastic wares and as such, some garden hoses can contain BPA in high amounts. A recent study suggests that the presence of BPA in your body can cause an increase the blood pressure. BPA found in garden hoses can react with the water flowing when the hose has been exposed to heat from the sun. Hence, drinking water from the hose can have adverse effects on your body.
3· Phthalates
These chemicals are usually added to plastics and some cosmetics to make them soft and improve their flexibility. Phthalates have been found to cause behavioral changes, reduce intelligence, and damage the endocrine system. The chemical is also responsible for sterility in men as well as hormonal imbalances. Most PVC hoses contain this harmful chemical and this, in turn, contaminates the water flowing through the hoses.
4· Antimony
Antimony is another chemical that can be found in garden hoses. It has been linked to kidney failure, problems with internal organs, as well as liver failure.
Conclusion
You shouldn’t drink water out of a garden hose. There are so many things that can contaminate the water. So, while drinking from your water hose might be tempting sometimes, it will do you a lot of good to drink water from your kitchen.
