PATHOGENS
As you will begin to learn, microplastics are not the only things you need to worry about in your potable water. There's a hole lot of goodies waiting to set up shop in your water system.
Critical Review: Propensity of Premise Plumbing Pipe Materials to Enhance or Diminish Growth of Legionella and Other Opportunistic Pathogen
Legionnaires’ Disease is the “leading cause of reportable waterborne illness” in the United States with 52,000–70,000 cases per year, 8,000–18,000 hospitalizations, an overall mortality rate of 15%, and high healthcare and legal costs. Bacteria belonging to the genus Legionella are the causative agent of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac Fever, which infect the human respiratory system via inhalation or aspiration. Legionella is classified as “opportunistic” because it preferentially infects those with underlying illnesses or weakened immune systems. To date more than 60 Legionella species have been identified, with Legionella pneumophila being the species most attributed to human disease. Legionella can be found even in “the most aggressively treated drinking water”. Studies have confirmed that potable water is a key source of infection, for both hospital- and community-acquired cases. Other opportunistic pathogens (OPs) such as nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acanthamoeba, can similarly be transmitted via tap water and tend to infect individuals belonging to certain risk groups.
Legionnaires' disease, a pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacterium, is the leading cause of reported waterborne disease outbreaks in the United States. Legionellae occur naturally in water from many different environmental sources, but grow rapidly in the warm, stagnant conditions that can be found in engineered water systems such as cooling towers, building plumbing, and hot tubs. Humans are primarily exposed to Legionella through inhalation of contaminated aerosols into the respiratory system. Legionnaires' disease can be fatal, with between 3 and 33 percent of Legionella infections leading to death, and studies show the incidence of Legionnaires' disease in the United States increased five-fold from 2000to 2017. Management of Legionella in Water Systems reviews the state of science on Legionella contamination of water systems, specifically the ecology and diagnosis. This report explores the process of transmission via water systems, quantification, prevention and control, and policy and training issues that affect the incidence of Legionnaires' disease. It also analyzes existing knowledge gaps and recommends research priorities moving forward.
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The Pro's of Copper
How many more reasons do you need to not use PEX in your potable water system? Well here are a few reasons why you should use copper and only copper.
Contact killing and antimicrobial properties of copper
Reduction of Environmental Contamination With Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria by Copper-Alloy Coating of Surfaces in a Highly Endemic Setting
From Laboratory Research to a Clinical Trial: Copper Alloy Surfaces Kill Bacteria and Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections
Inactivation of Influenza A Virus on Copper versus Stainless Steel Surfaces
The Scientific Illusion of Victor Burq (1822–1884)
Low numbers of microplastics detected in drinking water from ground water sources
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So, in conclusion, avoid plastic, use copper, and get your water from ground sources. There is no way House of Kartheiser LLC could consciously sell a product with anything else but copper being used for the potable water system, along with stainless steel holding tanks.
Mill wrap tape, or anything to cause separation (however slight) will prevent electrolysis. Using pipe insulation will work well in areas where the copper and dissimilar metals run close together for long runs. We already have that covered and avoided it at all costs, proper installation by a licenced plumbing professional, not DIY.
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