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IMPACT OF PH AND LEAD COMPOSITION ON METAL LEACHED FROM BRASS COUPONS
Citation:
Lytle, D. AND M. Schock. IMPACT OF PH AND LEAD COMPOSITION ON METAL LEACHED FROM BRASS COUPONS. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/A-94/035 (NTIS PB94158615).
Description:
Water sampling and monitoring requirements under the Lead and Copper Rule specify one liter samples taken at the consumers tap following at least 6 hours of stagnation. robable direct sources of lead in the one liter water volume are lead/tin solder and brass fixtures. rass ranges in metal composition depending on its application. omposite metal ranges in brass are roughly 60-80% copper, 4-32% zinc, 2-8% lead, % tin, and trace amounts of iron. here is little information and understanding of the relation between water quality effects on metal leaching and the metal composition of the brass. nitial work by British researchers indicated that the amount of lead leached from the brass is independent of the percentage of lead in the brass. ome researchers theorize that dezincification of a brass having high zinc and low lead composition can result in additional exposure of lead surface sites below the zinc and thus leach as much if not more lead than a brass containing more lead and less zinc. etter understanding brass corrosion may provide information and guidance to the use of the safest material for the production of plumbing fixtures, and better optimization of corrosion control treatments. his paper evaluates the impact of pH and metal composition on the eaching of composite metals rom brass.