Something that connects my previous posts on toxic substances and outdoor activities: the garden hose. I bought a new one last week so I could water the garden and fill the kids’ wading pool without dodging spray from the various holes in our old hose.
The new one worked wonderfully. As I was gathering the packaging for recycling, however, I read the back of the label. It carried the following warning, “This product contains one or more chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.” The warning lends a whole new meaning the company’s slogan, “The last hose you’ll ever buy.”
I searched the web and learned that most garden hoses carry similar warnings, and unless it is clearly stated otherwise, they are not designed for drinking. Adults generally don’t drink from the hose. Kids, on the other hand, can’t resist. Even if they don’t slurp from the hose, they gulp from the pool. Once again, lead is the culprit. It leaches from the polyvinyl chloride (PVC) used to make most garden hoses. I suspect that the fungicides used to protect hoses from rotting also contributes to their carcinogenicity.
Here are a couple of good websites on the topic:
Consumer Reports. 2003. Dare you drink from a garden hose?
Ann Lovejoy. June 2007. Do you know what’s really in that hose? Seattle Post Intelligencer
Both of these sites are based on U.S. information. I went in search of a “safe for drinking” garden hose here in Canada. The major hardware box-stores (Home Depot, Rona, Canadian Tire) had no idea what I was talking about. Locally owned shops (an environmental store, an organic gardening center, and our neighbourhood hardware store) were no wiser. I checked the labels on half-a-dozen hoses for sale in these shops. All carried warnings against drinking – and all of the warnings were printed on the back of the label (which I had to rip off to read). It is unlikely that anyone would see this before buying, if at all.
I finally found a drinking-water safe, FDA-approved hose at a marine supply shop. The hose is meant for RVs and boats but works just as well for the garden. About thirty seconds after hooking up and turning on our new non-toxic hose, the water was flowing straight into Jon’s mouth….
Okay. Enough on toxins. My next post is on family mealtimes. With three kids under three years old, the only thing toxic about mealtimes is the dining room floor.
Whoa! Thanks for the info about garden hoses, I had no idea about this. To think, how many times I drank from the hose as a kid. It must be even worse for pets.
While I knew there were issues with garden hoses, I didn’t seriously look into it until I bought a new hose and saw the warning too. Did you take your hose back? I’m thinking about trying.
Yes, we took it back to Lee Valley where we had bought it, and explained that we didn’t want a garden hose with such a warning. They accepted it without a problem. The more complaints the better!
I have a bigger concern. I live in Phoenix and my hoses get hot. When I turn on the hose, I gag and cough from some toxic gases are released from the water within the hose. It is painful to breath and can’t be healthy.
Did the hose you bought at the marine shop have a brand name? I too just bought the Lee Valley Hose and was shocked to discover the notice about the cancer causing ingredients. I called them to discuss and spoke with two people at the store who both own the hose and had no idea about the warning label.
Hi Sarah,
Yes, it did. I can’t remember it right now, but I’ll look it up and post it here shortly.
Hi again,
Here is the site for the store. The brand name is “Swan” – it’s at the bottom of the list. I don’t remember it being “flat” as they describe, but the brand name was definitely Swan. Good luck!
http://www.thechandleryonline.com//dept.asp?dept%5Fid=312