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Possible health problems from foreign made galvanized pipe

Do you know if the galvanized pipe, being sold in the USA but, manufactured in places like Korea and Thailand, meet the specifications required of the comparable products produced here at home in America?

Donna Jane Olson
homeowner, self employed - Chino Valley, Arizona
2003

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I am a bit reluctant to comment, Donna, because I don't understand what you are thinking, and why you would consider galvanized pipe dangerous or not dangerous. Further, it probably isn't valid to lump together Korea, and Thailand, and "places like" them.

But would I expect that the U.S. government is inspecting imported material of this sort? No. Would I trust the inspection system of the U.S. based importer? No, unless they were a very special company. Would I trust my safety to the integrity of a country or a company that thinks slave labor is okay? No.

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2003

If the galvanized pipe was made in the USA and met USA Standard/Specifications are there health issues associated with galvanized pipe?

Frank Smaila
- Mesa, Arizona
December 2, 2009

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Hi, Frank. You too have offered a cryptic inquiry alluding to some unreferenced and unexplained potential danger. There are health issues associated with absolutely everything. Galvanizing is a sacrificial hot dip coating of zinc on steel and is very valuable towards reducing the waste associated with corrosion of materials.

What do you mean by "health issues associated with galvanized pipe". Touching it? Using it for waste pipes? Water pipes? Using it for food service (for which use it isn't intended)? Welding it to construct stadium seating without having proper ventilation during the welding? Please explain what application or what kind of potential danger you are thinking of because we have no idea what you might be thinking. Thanks!

Regards,

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
December 2, 2009