California to switch to lead-free plumbing
In an effort to minimize lead contamination of drinking water, a new California law will prohibit the sale of any lead-containing pipes, plumbing fixtures, fittings, solder or flux that will come into contact with drinking water. The new law, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2010, also includes any materials used in repair work.
Lead is a common additive in many plumbing alloys such as lead solder, brass and bronze. It can be found in kitchen and bathroom faucets, pipe fitting, supply lines, brass fittings, shut-off valves and angles stops.
Plumbing and faucet manufacturers are just coming around to meeting the law's requirements, according to Augie Venezia, president of Fairfax Lumber & Hardware in Fairfax, Calif. "We haven't had a chance to flush out old inventory," Venezia said. The retailers, he suspects, will be left holding the bag.
Unlike some other environmental laws in the Golden State, there is no phase-in period or “grandfather” clause to the new lead-free law, according to a member e-mail sent by the Lumber Association of California and Nevada (LACN). Failure to comply with the new law will invoke heavy fines per incident, per item, the LACN warned. Starting on Jan. 1, 2010, all non-compliant merchandise identified on the list must be removed from the sales floor and will not be legal to sell in California.
