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Russian sourced kitchen tap valve internal plating delamination. Health hazard?

April 13, 2010

Dear community of engineers, replacement ceramic based water valves I fitted to a kitchen tap have what appears to be chrome internal surfaces. After 2 months of use these have delaminated to about 80% coverage. The base metal appears dull copper colored. Hot and cold have degraded the same. Can anyone advise on the possible health hazzard of ingesting the plating and preparation chemicals? The sub assembly I understand originates from Russia. My supplier is being evasive.

Thanking you, Martyn UK.

Martyn Gawthorpe
Hobbyist - Hull, United Kingdom

April 14, 2010

Hi, Martyn. Glass shards are chemically harmless, yet dangerous to swallow. Nickel-chrome shards would be the same. It is vaguely possible that they could cut you. In the USA most faucets have fairly fine screening across them though.

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey

April 16, 2010

Many thanks Ted.

This is the first tap valve I've seen with chrome on internal surfaces. I wonder why they would chrome plate this area of the valve? The base metal substrate may be unsuitable for contact with drinking water perhaps?

If they finally give me details, I'll post it.
Regards, Martyn, UK.

Martyn Gawthorpe
- Hull, United Kingdom

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