The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning of dangerous lead levels associated with certain Chinese-made faucets sold online and is advising consumers to double-check that any faucet they buy meets U.S. safety standards.
Last week the agency announced the recall of 100,000 kitchen faucets sold under the names Basdehen, Kicimpro, and Vfauosit due to what it said was the potential for high levels of lead exposure that pose a particular danger to young children and pregnant people.
The CPSC is also warning consumers to stop using faucets from several other companies that didn’t agree to an “acceptable recall.”
Among the neurological risks from high lead exposure are depressed cognitive performance and attention-related behavioral issues. “No level of lead is considered safe in water,” says James Rogers, director and head of product safety and research at CR.
The CPSC is advising consumers to stop using the faucets immediately. If that’s not possible, run water for 15 seconds before consuming it. Owners of faucets that have been recalled should seek a refund.
There’s no easy way to identify the faucets, which can resemble products from well-known brands. Amazon says it is notifying affected customers via email, push notifications, and a personalized product safety and recalls page.
In addition, the agency recommends reviewing your purchase order history at any online retailer where you’ve bought a faucet.
