For years, home plumbing mostly consisted of copper pipes, but that has been changing quickly. Many plumbers and home builders have switched to using cross-linked polyethylene, or PEX, in their plumbing. PEX pipes are less expensive and longer-lasting than copper pipes, which is why they are used in 60 percent of new construction projects. However, the jury is still out on how safe these plastic pipes really are.
While PEX pipes and other forms of plastic plumbing do seem to be relatively safe at a glance, recent studies have suggested that there is a possibility of these pipes leaching chemicals into drinking water. One study published in Journal – American Water Works Association states that PEX pipes release “…more organic carbon as well as volatile and semi-volatile compounds” into water that passes through them. There did appear to be fewer of these contaminants in water after 30 days, but these findings were alarming to say the least. Many researchers have reported that there is a slight odor and distinct flavor of water that passes through these plastic pipes, which might suggest that this kind of plumbing may not be entirely safe.