BURLINGTON, Vt. -
You might want to think twice before allowing your kids to drink out of a garden hose.
That's because a new study finds the water might be filled with harmful chemicals.
A consumer group, called Healthy Stuff, says it studied the water in hoses and found dangerous chemicals including lead and BPA, which could cause cancer.
The problem is what the hoses are made of. Those chemicals and plastic additives, including BPA, can move into the water which you might drink.
The easiest solution is to not drink from a hose. But if that doesn't work you can head to Gardener's Supply Company in Williston, Vermont.
"We sell all-natural rubber hoses and polyurethane hoses," says Mary Thon, Gardener's Supply Company.
Thon says those hoses are safe for drinking because they don't contain BPA or lead. She says more people are asking about the safety of hoses.
"They want to know if their kids can drink out of it when they're out playing? Can they fill the dog dish from these hoses?" says Thon.
Besides the chemicals, another concern is bacteria. Thon says that can build up in any hose so you should make sure the hose is clear.
"Let it run for awhile before you drink from it, or fill the kiddy pool, or feed the dog and if you can drain it, store it in the shade, so bacteria is less likely to build up," says Thon.
The hose is not the only concern. You should check the fixtures.
Healthy Stuff says many brass connectors contain lead. It suggests non-brass ones to be safe.
