Is the Hose on the Kitchen Faucet Safe?

April 26, 2016, by Debra Lynn Dadd

Question from NA

Hi Debra,

Redoing my kitchen and I am looking for a toxic free kitchen sink faucet.

I notice that many of them have a PVC hose from the faucet that can be pulled down and also used as a spray nozzle.

Went to Loews and of course they said that it was safe.

Should I stick with old fashioned one. Are there any that "hoses" are totally stainless steel lined that permit flexibility and the ability to "pull it down”.

I never drink water from the facet but obviously use it to wash veggie, fruits and everything else. Thanks for your help..

Hope you can get back to me asap….I bouht a MOEN and the plumber wants to put iti this weekend. Yikes…

Love your site!!! YOU GO GIRL!!!

Debra's Answer

First of all, whatever any faucet hose is made from, you can always replace it with a different hose. Your plumber should be able to do that.

I’m looking around for spray hoses. Many say “vinyl” or “plastic” but here’s one at Lowe’s that’s stainless steel.  Even stainless steel is lined with something so you need to find out what the lining is.

I think if you are buying a faucet it would be good idea to check the hose that comes with it and also possible replacement hoses.

Polyethylene tubing is very common and some faucets might have polyethylene or you could replace the tube with polyethylene.

Updated 2020 by Lisa Powers:

A reader advised, "Inside that mesh metal exterior is a PVC or other vinyl plastic that can impart a bad taste in the water. Especially hot water. Right now the only place to find safer drinking water lines is going to PEX (Cross Linked polyethylene) tubes. Entire homes are run with that instead of copper now as well. You need to look for water supply hoses that have this designation: UPC, cUPC, NSF certified. CA AB 1953 lead free compliant.
About every water faucet hose line for kitchen or bath has a California warning Proposition 65 that the components have lead in them. (the brass parts) But the bad plastic inside is no better."

I have found one shower hose that is stainless steel with a food-grade silicone lining but not a kitchen spray hose.