The galvanizing process involves coating metal materials with zinc, which helps prevent corrosion and rusting. Some lesser grades of galvanizing solution contain high amounts of lead.

Health Hazards

The lead present in galvanized pipes and/or pipes with lead solder can leach into water passing through these pipes. If your household pipes are galvanized, your drinking water might be at risk. The lead is also a problem when handling pipes, nails, and other galvanized materials, as it can rub off on hands and body. How many carpenters use their mouth as a third hand for nails? Bad idea.

EcoRights Lawsuits Compel Safer Industry Practices

Lawsuits brought under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, based on testing evidence by EcoRights, have driven the galvanizing industry to use high grades of zinc with low lead content. This has dramatically reduced the lead exposures from these products.

Avoiding and Minimizing Exposure

Don't buy galvanized pipes for drinking water supply lines. Use copper pipes and drinking-water-quality PVC pipes that meet the drinking-water standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). To determine if your pipes are a risk, have your drinking water tested by a lab. Note that hot water leaches lead more effectively, so if you are uncertain, it is wise to take precautions such as running cold water from the tap and then heating it up for cooking, instead of running the hot water into your pots. When you do use galvanized building materials such as nails, buy products that have high-grade or "special high-grade" galvanizing to avoid lead content.