Is Lead Free Brass Food Safe
As far as appearance goes there is no appreciable difference between the lead free brass and other brass parts.
Is lead free brass food safe. Brass will corrode and can leach out metals with aggressive cleaners. There are mixed answers about it. Most food safe products are stainless so they can be cleaned with aggressive products such as chlorinated agents to easily ensure they are free of bacteria. Lead is added to brass to make it easier to machine into smooth surfaces for valve seats threads and other fittings.
Why is lead added to brass. As confusing as it sounds a device that meets these limits can currently be labelled lead free we explain the standard s lead leaching test protocol in our november 2018 blog. Lead safe means a very small amount of lead are found. Food can also be a source of lead.
Key revisions definition of lead free 1417 d definition of lead free revises the lead content requirement from not more than 8 to not more than a weighted average of 0 25 lead when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes pipe fittings plumbing fittings and fixtures 1417 d 1 b. The new law states not more than a weighted average of 0 25 lead when used with respect to the wetted surfaces of pipes pipe fittings plumbing fittings and fixtures. The fda monitors and regulates levels of lead in food foodwares dietary supplements and cosmetics because of its potential to cause serious health problems. Either they are un informed about the lead content of some brass alloys or are using a lead free alloy.
Earlier this year the environmental defense fund found that 20 percent of baby foods and juices had detectable levels of lead. But the last person that got this hose in april 2020 wrote the 50 hose i received 3 20 does have heavy duty brass fittings there is no testing or study that i can find on this hose. This new law redefines lead free under the safe drinking water act sdwa of 1974 to further restrict permissible levels of lead in drinking water. According to tamara a lot of newly made ikea dishware that she has been testing has been lead free or lead safe.
Stainless is fda approved for food and beverage handling i don t believe brass is aside from plumbing fittings. Another mfg a very honest one admits that the brass he uses contains lead a very small amount according to him. Durachoice s lead free ball valves use silicon brass c87600 which gives them good machinability and pressure tightness. Lead free brass replaces the lead with silicon bismuth or mixed copper alloys which help address those issues.