I'm doomed (or, at the very least, in hot water).

[steve(thelil)]

I have used hot water from the tap for years to make pasta, coffee in a coffee maker and tea in the microwave (in both cases, to hasten the process). For the last 3 years I've done so in old buildings.


From the online NY Times:

The Claim: Never Drink Hot Water From the Tap



Article Tools Sponsored By
By ANAHAD O’CONNOR
Published: January 29, 2008

THE FACTS
Skip to next paragraph
Leif Parsons

The claim has the ring of a myth. But environmental scientists say it is real.

The reason is that hot water dissolves contaminants more quickly than cold water, and many pipes in homes contain lead that can leach into water. And lead can damage the brain and nervous system, especially in young children.

Lead is rarely found in source water, but can enter it through corroded plumbing. The Environmental Protection Agency says that older homes are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures, but that even newer plumbing advertised as “lead-free” can still contain as much as 8 percent lead. A study published in The Journal of Environmental Health in 2002 found that tap water represented 14 to 20 percent of total lead exposure.

Scientists emphasize that the risk is small. But to minimize it, the E.P.A. says cold tap water should always be used for preparing baby formula, cooking and drinking. It also warns that boiling water does not remove lead but can actually increase its concentration. More information is at www.epa.gov/lead or (800) 424-5323 (LEAD).

THE BOTTOM LINE

Hot water from the tap should never be used for cooking or drinking.

scitimes@nytimes.com
Next Article in Health (4 of 6) »

[Chris D]

You're just learning this now?

[steve(thelil)]

Originally Posted by Chris D

You're just learning this now?

Yep. I think the lead has effected my hearing.

[Scott Dolan]

Hahahahaha..............


This is shaping up to be a good year for (thelil) threads.

[Brian Olewnick]

Uh-oh. This means Lund and I are in BIG trouble.

[Dan G]

Originally Posted by steve(thelil)

...The Environmental Protection Agency says that older homes are more likely to have lead pipes and fixtures, but that even newer plumbing advertised as “lead-free” can still contain as much as 8 percent lead...

THE BOTTOM LINE

Hot water from the tap should never be used for cooking or drinking.

What about copper and plastic, any health risks with those? My house, built 3 1/2 years ago, has a short copper pipe that makes a header for Aquapex tubing that runs through the house - a separate line to each faucet/toilet, etc. Not only does it mean good water pressure (no 90 degree bends to obstruct flow) and no change in pressure/temperature when, say, someone flushes the toilet when you are in the shower, but I think it is probably safe to drink hot water from this system. Not that I would, but I do usually start with hot tap water when boiling a large pot for pasta.

[Noj]

I've also heard that the worst place to ingest hot water from the tap is the shower, since shower heads collect more of what dissolves into the water. Bad for your teeth to boot.

[Gary Sisco]

That green stain in your sink? It's caused by the water source being acid enough to corrode welds over time. That's why it's not uncommon for newly constructed buildings, like our house, to have water treatment systems. Our well water is too acidic and has to much iron it. We correct the PH with additives like soda ash and have filters that trap most of the iron.

[Brian Olewnick]

Originally Posted by Noj

I've also heard that the worst place to ingest hot water from the tap is the shower, since shower heads collect more of what dissolves into the water. Bad for your teeth to boot.

Yeah, but all that stuff is what makes it taste so damn good.

[clinthopson]

Dogs drink from the toilet and they seem to be doing ok.

Of course, in most instances, the water isn't heated.

[Chris D]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Dogs drink from the toilet and they seem to be doing ok.

Of course, in most instances, the water isn't heated.

Dogs also eat shit with no ill effects. You try that and tell me how it goes.

[Dan G]

Yes, but dogs also clean their asses with their tongues and bury their faces in other dogs asses, so they must have some special immune system.

[Brian Olewnick]

Mere Victorian prejudices.

[steve(thelil)]

Originally Posted by Chris D

Dogs also eat shit with no ill effects. You try that and tell me how it goes.

I forget. (But I don't blame the shit for my memory loss.)

[rollhead]

Originally Posted by Dan G

tongues and bury their faces in other dogs asses,.

I've been told if I had done more of this I might have been successful.

[Dan G]

Originally Posted by rollhead

I've been told if I had done more of this I might have been successful.

You can succeed by sticking your face in a dog's ass?

[clinthopson]

Down deep, really deep, don't some of you guys envy dogs?

[groover]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Down deep, really deep, don't some of you guys envy dogs?

A friend of mine always used to say dogs lick themselves because they can.

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by clinthopson

Down deep, really deep, don't some of you guys envy dogs?

A man walks into a bar and sees a dog licking its balls.
The man looks at the barman and says "I wish I could do that."
The barman responds "Give him a biscuit and he might let you."

[patricia]

Yet another thing that can kill us. If this keeps up, none of us will live forever after all.

[Dan G]

Originally Posted by patricia

Yet another thing that can kill us. If this keeps up, none of us will live forever after all.

Given how hard the Alberta water is, I'm surprised they don't recommend drinking a glass of vinegar every few months to descale.

[Gentle Giant]

Real bottom line is only use cold water to fill your bong.

[jesus marion joseph]

Originally Posted by Gentle Giant

Real bottom line is only use cold water to fill your bong.

And don't drink your bong water.

[Gentle Giant]

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

And don't drink your bong water.

Don't even ask me about the phase my friends and I went through when we would use schnapps or rum instead of water, and...well, waste not want not.

[jesus marion joseph]

[groover]

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

And don't drink your bong water.

I think I have a clue now why you put a big-screen t.v. in the room over your garage, jmj. That's where the real party is.

[clinthopson]

Originally Posted by jesus marion joseph

I miss Bill the cat.

[patricia]

Originally Posted by Dan G

Given how hard the Alberta water is, I'm surprised they don't recommend drinking a glass of vinegar every few months to descale.

Just to assure myself that I won't ever die, I drink only bottled water.

But, I still remember that my mother kept tap water in a pitcher in the fridge so that there would be cold drinking water.
I lived in central B.C. and people turned on the tap and drank the water that came out.
This was before Brita and all the filters we use now.
The only difference between the water coming out of the tap and the water in the fridge was that the latter was cold tapwater.

[Erik Lund]

Originally Posted by Brian Olewnick

Uh-oh. This means Lund and I are in BIG trouble.

Fuck. This whole "being sick" thing has seen me take in an abundance of shower water this week. Just 10 minutes ago I boiled some tap water to drink and it tasted very metallic. I had to dump it and use my Brita pitcher's filtered water.

[Bill Barton]

Originally Posted by patricia

Just to assure myself that I won't ever die, I drink only bottled water...

http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/wat...e-drinking.htm
http://www.nrdc.org/water/drinking/qbw.asp#unsafe

Better keep that Brita filled instead...