Drinking Water Contamination Sparks Faucet Recall
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The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) initiated a recall of about 24,000 kitchen faucets made by BASDEHEN and sold on Amazon.com, after tests showed these products could leach dangerous amounts of lead into drinking water.
Why It Matters
Lead is a potent neurotoxin that can cause irreversible health effects, particularly in young children, including cognitive impairment, behavioral issues, and lower IQ. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Early action against dangerous consumer products, such as contaminated faucets, is critical to preventing lasting harm and public health crises across American homes.
The recall highlights growing concerns over imported plumbing products and their role in contaminating U.S. drinking water, raising new questions about product oversight, e-commerce platforms, and consumer protections.
A stock photo of a faucet.
A stock photo of a faucet.
sonmez/Getty
What To Know
The CPSC advised consumers to immediately stop using and properly dispose of the affected faucets, which pose a particular risk to infants, young children, and pregnant women, according to a CPSC recall notice. Testing found excessive lead levels in the faucets, with the CPSC urging Americans to check their kitchen and bathroom fixtures for the recalled model.
About 24,000 units are impacted by the recall and were sold on Amazon from May 2024 through May 2025 for about $30.
When reached for comment, the CPSC directed Newsweek to a press release published by the commission on May 15 that warns consumers of nine Chinese-made faucets that pose dangerous lead exposure risks to those who use them.
"These warnings follow a CPSC enforcement sweep targeting dangerous faucets manufactured in China. None of the Chinese firms has agreed to conduct an acceptable recall," the press release said. "Earlier this week, CPSC issued a public health and safety finding to expedite public warnings about these faucets because individuals may be in danger from these product hazards."
The CPSC recommends that American households with any recalled or suspect faucets immediately stop using them and contact the Chenfeng Store on Amazon about disposal and a refund. To get the refund, consumers will need to provide a photograph of the disposal.
Until the faucet can be replaced, people are advised to only drink water from it after they run the water for 15 seconds.
Lead typically enters drinking water through the corrosion of older pipes, solder, fixtures, and fittings. According to CDC guidance, products such as some imported faucets may also contain components made with lead that can leach into water, especially when the water sits in the fixture for extended periods.
Consumers are advised to look for faucets compliant with NSF/ANSI Standard 61, which sets limits for the presence of lead and other contaminants in drinking water systems, according to the CPSC.
The CDC has reported that even low levels of lead exposure can be harmful to children's development, affecting learning, attention span, and academic achievement. Homes built before 1978, lead-based products, imported goods, and contaminated water systems continue to contribute to childhood lead exposure in the United States.
Lead poisoning may occur without visible symptoms, making testing and prevention strategies particularly important. The most reliable method for assessing exposure is a blood lead test administered by a health care provider.
As of Thursday, no injuries have been reported regarding the most recent faucet recall.
What People Are Saying
CPSC acting chairman Peter Feldman said in the May 15 press release: "CPSC is taking extraordinary steps to protect Americans from toxic faucets that threaten our children. This Commission will not hesitate to warn Americans when necessary. CPSC remains focused on the biggest threat to American consumers: hazardous goods from China."
Aaron Reuben, Assistant Professor of Clinical Neuropsychology at the University of Virginia, previously told Newsweek: "Lead is still used in bronze, bullets, many types of paint, airplane fuel, car batteries—the list goes on and on. Better alternatives exist and should be used. Whenever a company produces a product that uses lead, they gain the benefits—profit—and everyone else bears the cost. It's time to end that."
What Happens Next
Consumers are urged to check their Amazon order history to see if their faucet is part of the recall.
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