If you're working in commercial plumbing or general contracting, here's a critical update that could affect your next job.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recently issued a warning about certain Chinese-made faucets being sold online.
Independent testing showed they leach dangerous levels of lead, posing serious health risks, especially for infants, children, and pregnant women. These products violate both the Safe Drinking Water Act and NSF/ANSI 61 safety standards.
In response, T&S Brass, a major name in commercial plumbing and foodservice fixtures, is urging the industry to take sourcing and compliance more seriously.
“Lead contamination from potable water products is a serious public health concern that reflects a broader breakdown in product oversight and sourcing integrity,” said Jeff Baldwin, Director of Engineering & Compliance at T&S Brass.
For contractors, the takeaway is simple: if you're not confident in your product sourcing, you're taking a risk that could come back to haunt you.
This issue shines a light on a common problem. Some fixtures that look fine on paper or seem like a deal online don’t hold up when tested. And when a contaminated faucet goes in at a hospital or school, it’s not just a callback. It can lead to failed inspections, legal headaches, or worse.
Contractors need to prioritize certified, lead-free products that come from trusted suppliers. Products should meet strict NSF/ANSI 61 and 372 standards and go through both in-house and third-party testing. Look for suppliers that provide full transparency throughout their supply chains.
That kind of accountability is what separates reliable commercial-grade products from risky low-cost imports.
It’s easy to see how projects get caught in the trap of picking the cheapest available parts. Budgets are tight, deadlines are tighter, and sometimes the fixtures are an afterthought. But cutting corners here can create bigger problems down the road.
The cost of a failed fixture (or worse, a compliance issue tied to unsafe water) is far more expensive than just doing it right the first time.
“When health and safety are non-negotiable, the brands you choose matter,” Baldwin said.
This message hits especially hard for contractors doing work in hospitals, schools, foodservice, or other high-stakes environments. The reputational risk alone can be serious, not to mention potential liability or the loss of future contracts.
Contractors are often the last line of defense when it comes to safety. Sourcing matters, and so does trust in the products you install.
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