Green Leader Garden Hose, Brand Unknown: 741 ppm Lead [in the hardware], 90 is unsafe for kids.

When I tested this old dirty hose with an XRF, I was a bit surprised by the results!

The hose itself was not leaded, and only one of the metal ends was positive for lead. That said, we have lived in this home for more than 11 years and I believe we may have purchased this new  – after searching specifically for a lead-free hose (although it was a long time ago, and so much has happened in those 11 years that I am not 100% sure of the purchase story details!)

This actually is an example of a concern with many hoses that might be marked and sold as lead-free: even though the hose itself is negative for lead, it is possible that the solid metal components might still be made of leaded brass (or lower-content, “lead-contaminated” brass) – yet the hose packaging might possibly still be marked “lead-free hose” [I haven’t read the pertinent regulation on that one – is that a possible loophole?] It is for this concern that I like to stick with stainless steel hardware on my garden hoses and accessories whenever possible.

Green Hose [The hose itself, not the metal components]:

• ND for Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), & Cadmium (Cd)

Female Hose End (threaded on the inside):

• ND for Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), & Cadmium (Cd)
• Zinc (Zn): 276,100 +/- 3,300 ppm
• Copper (Cu): 227,500 +/- 2,200 ppm
• Nickel (Ni): 493,800 +/- 2,500 ppm
• Cobalt (Co): 885 +/- 253 ppm

Male Hose End (threaded on the outside):

• Lead (Pb): 741 +/- 350 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 285,700 +/- 700 ppm
• Copper (Cu): 200,500 +/- 4,200 ppm
• Nickel (Ni): 507,000 +/- 5,100 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 2,193 +/- 598 ppm

Oh – and…

Hose Clamp:

• ND for Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), & Cadmium (Cd)
• Chromium (Cr): 171,900 +/- 1,600 ppm
• Copper (Cu): 7,097 +/- 609 ppm
• Nickel (Ni): 68,700 +/- 1,600 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 723,100 +/- 2,700 ppm
• Vanadium (V): 1,222 +/- 476 ppm
• Molybdenum (Mo): 4336 +/- 188 ppm
• Magnesium (Mn): 19,100 +/- 1,300 ppm

As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.

For lead-free hoses that I have in my own home
(and am very excited to own!) check out this link!

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama