News Release                              For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                         July 20, 2007

Don’t Drink from Garden Hoses

Garden hoses have the potential to carry E coli, Campylobacter and other environmental contaminants. Ingestion of these contaminants may cause severe illness. The Grey Bruce Health Unit is warning all individuals not to consume water from a garden hose.

The Ontario Medical Association advises recents tests conducted by the U. S. Center for Environmental Health indicate garden hoses may contain high levels of lead. Many hoses are made of poly-vinyl chloride and use lead as a stabilizer in the plastic. The tests show lead can leach from the hose into the water. Brass fitting on hoses can also give off lead.

Even at low levels, lead may cause a range of health effects including behavioural problems and learning disabilities. Children six years old and under are most at risk.

What Can You Do?

• Flush the hose out before use.
• Always check the label on your garden hose. In Canada, garden hoses may warn they are not intended for hot water use but may not warn against drinking out of the hose.
• For water for human consumption, use camper, marine or RV hoses made from medical-grade vinyl and safe for drinking.
• It is safe to water your vegetables with water from a garden hose, but people and pets should avoid drinking from it.
• Flush hoses thoroughly before using to fill a kiddie pool. Don’t run warm or hot water through the hose to fill the pool; use an alternative source to provide warm water or simply allow the pool to heat by passive sunshine.

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For more information:

Lou D’Alessandro

Manager, Safe Water

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 223