Metal leaching test of commercially available faucets in the Japanese market in 2016–2020

In this study, metal leaching was investigated in commercially available faucets in Japan to clarify their compliance to Japanese regulations. We purchased 37 faucets from the market and analyzed the leaching of cadmium, mercury, selenium, lead (Pb), arsenic, hexavalent chromium, boron, zinc (Zn), c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of water and health 2022-07, Vol.20 (7), p.1112-1125
Main Authors: Miyoshi, Taro, Simazaki, Dai, Tokuyasu, Marina, Masuda, Takanori, Akiba, Michihiro
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Arsenic
Boron
Cadmium
Certification
Chromium
Compliance
Conditioning
Copper
Copper base alloys
Drinking water
faucet
Faucets
Heavy metals
Hexavalent chromium
Investigations
Leachates
Leaching
Lead
Manganese
Mercury
metal leaching
Metals
Nickel
Plumbing
Public health
Quality management
Quality standards
Regulation
Regulations
Selenium
Water quality
Water quality management
Zinc
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Summary:In this study, metal leaching was investigated in commercially available faucets in Japan to clarify their compliance to Japanese regulations. We purchased 37 faucets from the market and analyzed the leaching of cadmium, mercury, selenium, lead (Pb), arsenic, hexavalent chromium, boron, zinc (Zn), copper, manganese, and nickel. The leaching tests were performed with and without a conditioning treatment, that simulated approximately 1-month intermittent use of faucets on weekdays, and the results were compared to estimate the changes in metal leaching during the use of faucets. The results revealed that metal leaching from most of the faucets complied with Japanese regulations. However, the levels of Pb leaching from several faucets produced by certain manufacturers exceeded the Japanese standard. The conditioning treatment was generally effective in reducing metal leaching. However, the reductions in Pb and Zn leaching tended to be lower than those of the other metals. Nickel is not legally regulated in Japan; although the number of cases where nickel concentration in leachate exceeded the water quality management target value was greater, such cases were limited to faucets primarily made of copper alloys. We believe that these results will be helpful to improve the public health associated with metal leaching from faucets.
ISSN:1477-8920
1996-7829
DOI:10.2166/wh.2022.080