During the heat of summer, you’re probably spending a lot more time outside. This includes landscaping and gardening, and you likely plan to use your outdoor water hose fairly often. When the heat really hits, it can be tempting to grab the hose and take a drink. But is the water that comes from your garden hose safe to drink? Find out more about why drinking from an outdoor hose can likely cause more harm than good.
Outdoor Hoses Contain Dangerous Chemicals
It might surprise you that your seemingly innocent outdoor hose can be full of potentially dangerous chemicals. Let’s take a closer look at the breakdown:
- BPA: Most hoses contain BPA which you can usually find in most manufactured plastic products. Consumption of BPA can be dangerous and when it sits under the heat of the sun, it intensifies.
- Lead: While the amount of lead in your particular garden hose can vary, even tiny amounts of this substance can cause you health problems. Most hoses have at least some amount of lead that ends up in the water they produce.
- Phthalates: These are chemicals found in a range of products that make plastic material softer and more flexible. When consumed, it can wreak havoc on your endocrine system and even cause a hormonal imbalance. Approximately 75% of all PVC hoses have phthalates.
The Health Effects of Drinking from a Hose
Whether you’re directly consuming the chemicals found in the hose or drinking dirty water, it’s sure to have some seriously negative effects on your health. If you drink dirty water, you can end up with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea which could last for a few days. Other side effects might include a skin rash and even difficulty concentrating if you drink enough of it.
If you’re prone to drinking water from your outdoor hose, it can cause even more serious health implications. People who consume this water may even develop cancer since the chemicals react to your bodily tissues, wreaking total havoc on your health and well-being. It should be noted that you would need to drink quite a lot of hose water for it to be completely toxic, but you’re minimizing your risk by avoiding it altogether. Instead of drinking from the hose, have a clean bottle of water handy whenever you plan to work outside, just to be safe.
If you have a plumbing problem or need an estimate for any type of plumbing for your home, contact the experts at Five Star Plumbing located in the San Antonio, TX, areas to schedule your appointment today!
