Non-Toxic Faucets/ Latex-Free Faucet Guide for Kitchens and Bathrooms
Whether you are looking for a healthier, non-toxic faucet, or you have a latex allergy and are thus seeking a latex-free faucet, look no further than this article, the result of careful research by someone whose life has depended on accurate information since 2012!
For more on my story, see my book Poisoned: Failed by Western Medicine, Modern Construction, and Corporate Interests. It may be purchased in ebook or paperback by request pretty much anywhere, or you can request it from your local library.
This post is not to be construed as medical or professional information or advice. Always consult your favored professional(s). These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a tiny amount of compensation- at no cost to you- in return. This helps pay related expenses to keeping the website etc. going, and it’s greatly appreciated!
Are Faucets Toxic?
The first question to ask is whether or not faucets are toxic. Generally, the answer is that it’s pretty minimal, and this is not one of the major factors impacting human health today. However, if you are seeking to make the healthiest choices in your home, selecting faucets that are healthier typically won’t cost you more than the average cost of a faucet.
That’s quite rare! Healthier options nearly always cost more, though of course there are more expensive options available.
There are four primary issues with faucets: washers, nickel, PFAS, and lead. While there are other factors you may choose to consider, these are the primary factors I consider. For specific recommendations, scroll down later in this post.
Please note that product listings cannot be trusted. Amazon listings are often inaccurate, and there are plenty of scam companies out there.
This article was originally posted on our website on January 8, 2025.
Latex-Free Faucets
One of the primary issues with faucets are washers made from the known, toxic sensitizer of natural rubber latex. This assertion may surprise you, but the evidence is quite clear. Were you aware that trusting the “natural living experts” nearly killed me?
Be careful! May my life be a warning. Know that I am not the only one with such experiences.
We can get around the issue of rubber washers pretty easily, by simply opting for ceramic washers or a model type that doesn’t require washers. The other option is to select a faucet that does have rubber washers but is widely tolerated by latex-allergic persons, and is supposed to have latex-free rubber washers.
Another common issue with faucets in regards to latex allergy is that some kitchen faucets in particular come with rubber bases. This is nearly always problematic, and often a source of reactions for those sensitized to latex. Pass on faucets with a rubber base, and instead opt for using a latex-free caulk, such as a 100% silicone caulk. (A guide on caulk is coming soon.)
Is Lead a Concern in Faucets?
Many are concerned about lead today, which I understand. I also am familiar with the two publicly-shared tests from bloggers regarding lead in salt shared last year.
However, if one is doing their due diligence, they must follow the proper scientific method, and question the tests themselves. This is a topic that is far, far out of the scope of this article. I am planning to address lead, and why lead toxicity has gone mainstream, in an upcoming video series. As a token to note the depth of my research, I did begin to record the first video of the series, but stopped, as at 30 minutes into the discussion while sharing of evidence freely available online, I had only addressed one testing company.
I believe that does indeed demonstrate how thorough I am personally in selecting and recommending specific products.
However, suffice it to say that I do not trust lead testing, the basic scientific method apparently is no longer en vogue, and the primary reason why lead has gone mainstream is of paramount import! (I know, I repeated myself here, but cognitive dissonance can be challenging to overcome, and thus, repetition is necessary.)
There are multiple reasons why I don’t focus on lead in my research. And there are also reasons why you never hear just how toxic natural rubber latex actually is, or how common latex sensitization is today. One must really peer behind the facade of corporate and news-derived propaganda to really see the unveiled truth.
(Don’t miss out on that information- when it is released- by signing up for my free newsletter!)
Lead-Free Faucets
For those looking for lead-free faucets, there are multiple options.
Stainless steel is inherently lead-free. Brass fittings on stainless steel will likely leach lead for a time, but not if you opt for 100% stainless steel. Brass typically contains lead. It’s not impossible to find “lead-free” brass, but it is unlikely.
As with so many things, greenwashing has impacted choices in regards to lead. The United Stated EPA (an agency which does not protect human health) states the following in their overview:
Section 1417 of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) establishes the definition for “lead free” [sic] as a weighted average of 0.25% lead calculated across the wetted surfaces of a pipe, pipe fitting, plumbing fitting, and fixture and 0.2% lead for solder and flux.
While I could spend additional time dissecting the legalese here, I’ll simply focus on one aspect: a product may be classified as “lead -free” if it contains .25% lead across the wetted surface.
Let’s just simplify that and say that a product can be marketed as “lead-free” if it contains .25% lead. That isn’t much, but for some, that’s still of concern.
So, if you want to be as certain as possible regarding your faucets, you’ll want to look for a faucet that is 100% stainless steel, contains PEX (plastic tubing) inside the faucet separating the water from the metal, or a faucet made of lead-free brass (remembering the legal loophole).
Are There PFAS in Kitchen Faucets or Bathroom Faucets?
Some faucets have a plastic lining (PEX typically), which can contain PFAS, or other newer, more toxic alternatives.
Recommended post: Regrettable Substitution
The level of concern regarding this lining, in my personal opinion, lies not actually in the faucet itself but in your plumbing lines. If your plumbing lines from your in-line filtering system (hopefully you have one!) to your faucets are comprised of PEX, PVC, or another more toxic option, then I would think more about your plumbing lines than about your faucets.
Faucets contribute far less to water contaminants than do plumbing lines.
However, if you have healthier plumbing materials in your plumbing lines, then you may choose to avoid faucets with plastic liners in your quest for a non-toxic bathroom faucet/ non-toxic kitchen faucet.
Nickel-Free Faucets
Nickel used to be a problem for me, but now it’s not. Woohoo!
If you are sensitized to nickel or diagnosed with a nickel allergy, then this is something you might find important. However, when nickel was of issue for me, I didn’t personally have a problem with any faucets, as far as I know. Your life isn’t my life, and my body isn’t your body. A faucet could be a problem for you, as nickel can leach out into the water.
Nickel can be used in the nickel or chrome plating on the faucet metal, so this may be a factor for your evaluation. If a faucet is new, it can initially leach higher levels. Similarly, if the metal of a faucet is deteriorating, it may leach nickel.
So you’re pretty much up a creek either way. Isn’t living in this toxic world fun? (That was a joke, by the way. One must maintain a sense of humor in this reality, or face losing sanity!)
Nickel is often in stainless steel, but it depends on the grade. 18/0 stainless steel should be nickel-free (0%), containing 18% chromium. However, I’ve not discovered any faucets that are 18/0 grade.
That doesn’t mean they don’t exist. I always recommend personal research, which is why I attempt to share the factors I consider personally in my articles, and why my articles are so stinking long! I want you to be equipped to do your own research. Manufacturers change materials often, so always keep that in mind. A product may be safe today and toxic tomorrow.
Faucet Brands to Typically Avoid
Stick with name brands for faucets, if possible. While they are more expensive, off-brands of faucets sometimes are sold with blatant false marketing, made with inferior products, or fail upon installation.
If you pay for a bargain basement faucet, that’s probably what you’ll receive. With that said, clawfoot tub faucets can be tricky, and we actually went with a non-name brand option. But that’s a topic for a different post!
Non-Toxic Kitchen Faucets to Consider
PLEASE NOTE that none of these check all of the boxes above. You will need to evaluate the factors yourself to make the best selection for your family.
Our Kitchen Faucet
Our non-toxic kitchen faucet, the Peerless Tunbridge faucet (model P299578LF ), have washerless stem unit valves with rubber seats that don’t touch the water or outgas into the home.The sprayer was the first part to break, and we had to replace the faucet itself after about 6 years. However, my kitchen sink gets a serious workout, as I produce and preserve 80-95% of what I eat personally, feed my husband part of what I produce, and make almost everything from scratch.
I don’t press my own olives into olive oil, gather my own sea salt, produce my own nutritional yeast, or grow nuts here, but otherwise I pretty much make it all here in our non-toxic kitchen. Here’s a link to a post on my non-toxic diet, which varies based on the season.
So I’m happy with 6 years of use from this faucet, and thus replaced it with an identical model. This may be purchased without the sprayer, as model P299568LF. It’s very reasonably priced, in my opinion.
Per the company specs, it complies with the .25% lead standard, so it can be marketed as lead-free. But it’s likely not in reality lead-free.
This is chrome-plated (so it contains nickel) and it’s made of zinc and brass, making it almost 100% likely to contain some level of lead- though, per the company specs, the level is low.
Other Kitchen Faucets
Signature Hardware, while pricey, offers stellar products, and the last I knew, their customer service was fantastic in answering questions pretty accurately and responsibly.
While I haven’t researched any of their faucets recently, they may offer some non-toxic kitchen faucet options for the more discerning, if design is important to you. Of course, some products I would recommend against, as with any company. I have held their products in my hands personally in preparing them for clients per their needs (sanding off finishes, off-gassing, etc.) and as far as what I have held myself, their products truly are high quality.
Waterstone Faucets: If you think Signature Hardware is pricey, hold on to your pants as they might go flying off! The lowest prices are typically around $800, with many products in the $25000- 5000 range.
Wowza!
As such, none of our consultation clients have had such high budgets, so I haven’t dug much into this brand, but for some this may be an option to look at.
Build Essentials By Ferguson: 100% T304 steel alloy inside and out tells us this kitchen faucet (model MK052-B) is safer for those concerned with lead. Ceramic valve cartridges make it safer for those with a latex allergy. It has an usual appearance and would look out-of-place in some kitchens. It’s about $200 as of this post.
Pfister Pfirst: This is a solid budget pick in my book, currently priced at around $50. Ceramic disc valves make this safer from a latex standpoint. Model G136-200S is the stainless steel finish, while there is also a chrome finish available. I’d opt for the stainless, but know that information available online does not declare this to be 100% stainless steel.
Moen Edison 87042SRS: This Moen model is for four holes (or 3, depending on what you install). Ceramic disc valves make this safer from a latex toxicity standpoint. There is a spout gasket on this which may or may not be problematic. Currently priced at around $160; this model may be 100% stainless steel, along with plastic (and ceramic gaskets), but I’m not certain. The SRS at the end of the model number stands for Spot Resistant Stainless, and thus this is a stainless steel model of faucet.
For more extensive assistance, contact us for a consultation!
Non-Toxic Bathroom Faucets to Consider
PLEASE NOTE that none of these check all of the boxes above. You will need to evaluate the factors yourself to make the best selection for your family.
Our Bathroom Faucet
Delta Windemere Faucet B2596LF-SS: This specific model of latex-free faucet is the one I selected back in 2017, and it’s been quite the little trooper. We haven’t had an issue with it yet! However, this is a bathroom faucet so it doesn’t get nearly the use of our kitchen faucet, and there are only two of us here. The SS at the end of the model number tells us that this is a stainless steel model. Since this also has a washerless stem cartridge, there aren’t rubber washers as with many bathroom faucets. However, this likely has small amounts of lead and nickel in it.
We’ve had good luck with Delta brand faucets in the past, and many with latex allergies opt for the brand as well.
Other Bathroom Faucets
100% stainless steel faucets are extremely hard to find, especially for bathrooms.
Universal Ecim Corporation: Model UECFM05-1S has a ceramic cartridge (AKA, no latex washers) and is listed as 100% solid stainless steel. This company is a direct importer of products, located in Canada. I’m not finding much information available online in regards to this company, and information on the listing is scant. Typically I would not add this to my article, but if someone needs a faucet that is 100% stainless steel, and it’s legit, then I wouldn’t want to withhold that information.
As always, caveat emptor (let the buyer beware).
STYLISH Carol Faucet: This is a brand carried by Menards, otherwise it wouldn’t be on my radar. Comprised of 100% stainless steel, model B-123S checks the boxes for lead avoidance and latex allergy as it has a ceramic disc cartridge. Woohoo! This is designed for a single-hole installation and is pretty snazzy looking, if you ask me. It’s currently priced around $125 on Amazon. The manufacturer claims that this is 100% lead-free.
Kraus Indy Faucet KBF-1401SFS: This model of Kraus faucet is made of Spot Free Stainless (SFS in the model number). The listing price is around $110, which is reasonable. This has a ceramic cartridge, so is a solid choice for those seeking to avoid toxic, sensitizing natural rubber latex. According to the spec sheet, this has a “lead free brass waterway.” Of course, it could be .25% and still be considered to be “lead-free.”
Positive Wrap-Up
As we have discussed in this longer-than-anticipated article, there are multiple factors to consider in selecting your very own non-toxic kitchen faucet or non-toxic bathroom faucet. As with everything else in life, this isn’t a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
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