Garden hoses are present in every house nowadays. It makes our life easier because we don’t have to fetch water in heavy buckets to do chores. It helped us to do our house cores such as watering our garden, cleaning our house to washing our vehicle very easily. Whenever you are out working, you must have thought about drinking water from your Garden hose, but is it safe for you or your children to drink water from a best garden hose? In this article, we will tell you about this in detail.
Type of water in your garden hose
The water in your garden hose is the same as the water in your taps in your homes. The water which is supplied in your houses is treated at a water treatment plant, and it is safe for drinking, but when this water is transported to your water hose, it is not safe for drinking.
The reason is that when your house is constructed, the pipes and fittings are constructed to avoid contamination. So, drinking water from these pipes is safe. On the contrary, water in the garden hose might be contaminated and not safe for drinking.
Toxins in the pipe
Most of the hoses are made from PVC. Water in a PVC pipe may react with it, which causes several toxins in the water. Toxins that are commonly present in PVC pipes are bromine, antimony, lead, BPA, and phthalates.
The BPA, phthalates, and lead are used to stabilize the plastic of the garden hose. In PVC pipes, polyvinyl chloride is present, which releases toxic vinyl chloride. At the same time, Bromine and Antimony are components of flame retardant chemicals.
BPA in pipe plays a role in increasing blood pressure. This BPA is activated when exposed to sun or heat. So, if your garden hose is left in the sun with water inside it, it could be easily contaminated with BPA and not safe for drinking. Organotin is another toxin found in hoses that can disrupt our endocrine system. Antimony can damage our kidney, liver, and other organs. Whereas, phthalates can lower intelligence, causes behavioral changes, and can also damage our endocrine system. Sometimes, you fix the metal fixtures by yourself, which don’t match the standards of the water security level, and it is not checked by the authorities regularly as well. In such a situation, not just the pipe but the connectors might add toxins to the water as well.
Effects of unclean water
Contaminated water can adversely affect our bodies. Dirty water can easily cause diarrhea, stomach ache, vomiting. It can affect your reproductive system, can cause rashes on your skin, it can also play a role in lowering your IQ level because of which you will lose concentration. Normal chores will become a challenge for you. You will become depressed, and your life can become miserable. In the long run, contaminated water can also contribute to the cause of cancer.
How to reduce risks
Firstly, you should avoid drinking water from your garden hose but still sometimes if you are too tempted to drink from it. You can follow some steps which will reduce its harmful effects.
- If you are planning to fill the pool for your children, then let the water run for a few minutes. Water already present in your hose contains more toxins. When you will let it run for a few minutes. It will reduce its toxins.
- The heat of the sun will increase the degradation of the PVC pipe along with activating BPA. Always try to keep your hose in a cool dark place. Keeping it in a cool place will slow its reactions.
- While buying a garden hose trying to buy a pipe which is made from natural rubber. Select a hose that has a low environmental impact. These types of hoses are ideal for safe water, but still, let the water run for a few minutes before using it.
Conclusion
Drinking water from your garden hose is not safe because of the presence of toxins in it. However, the toxins can be minimized by letting the water run for a few minutes or by using rubber hoses. But it is best that you don’t consume water from a garden hose.