Here are two documents for your use: a formal Petition addressed to your local government and a separate Scientific Research Statement that provides the evidence to back it up.
You can copy and paste these directly into a word processor to add your specific County name.
Document 1: The Petition
TO: The [Insert County Name] Board of Supervisors
FROM: Concerned Citizens of [Insert County Name]
DATE: December 22, 2025
SUBJECT: PETITION TO BAN PLASTIC SHOWER HEADS AND MANDATE METAL FIXTURES IN RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL PLUMBING
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS, hereby petition the County Board of Supervisors to enact an ordinance banning the sale and installation of plastic shower heads—specifically black plastic—within the county, and to mandate the use of 100% metal (stainless steel, brass, or copper) fixtures for all new construction and renovations.
WHEREAS, public health and safety are the primary responsibilities of this governing body; and
WHEREAS, recent scientific studies have identified black plastic as a significant health hazard, frequently composed of recycled electronic waste (e-waste) containing unregulated levels of heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) and toxic brominated flame retardants; and
WHEREAS, the high temperatures inherent to showering accelerate the leaching of these toxic chemicals, including Bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, directly into the water stream where they are absorbed through the skin and inhaled as vapor; and
WHEREAS, plastic surfaces in plumbing have been proven to harbor dangerous microbial biofilms (including Mycobacterium avium and Legionella) at significantly higher rates than metal surfaces, posing a severe respiratory risk to residents; and
WHEREAS, metal fixtures (stainless steel, brass, copper) are naturally antimicrobial, durable, and free from the endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in polymers;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we demand the [Insert County Name] Board of Supervisors take immediate action to:
Ban the Sale: Prohibit the sale of plastic shower heads containing black plastic or chemically treated polymers within county limits.
Mandate Metal: Update local building codes to require 100% metal shower heads and fixtures in all future residential and commercial developments.
Public Education: Issue a public health advisory regarding the risks of plastic plumbing fixtures.
Respectfully submitted by the undersigned:
[Signature Lines Would Follow Here]
Document 2: Research & Evidence Statement
SUBJECT: Scientific Justification for the Elimination of Plastic Shower Heads
ATTACHMENT TO: Petition for Safer Plumbing Standards
The following research supports the urgent transition from plastic to metal plumbing fixtures to protect public health.
1. Black Plastic Toxicity (The "E-Waste" Loop)
"Black plastic" is uniquely dangerous compared to other polymers. Because black plastic is difficult for optical scanners to sort in recycling centers, the supply chain is frequently supplemented with recycled electronic waste (e-waste).
Flame Retardants: A 2024 study published in Chemosphere found that black plastic household items frequently contain brominated flame retardants (like DecaBDE), which are known carcinogens and endocrine disruptors. These chemicals are intended for computer casings, not water fixtures.
Heavy Metals: Research indicates that recycled black plastics often contain unsafe levels of lead, mercury, and cadmium.
Source: Liu, M., et al. (2024). "From e-waste to living space: Flame retardants contaminating household items." Chemosphere; University of Plymouth Study (2018).
2. The Biofilm & Bacteria Danger (Mycobacterium avium)
Plastic shower heads are a breeding ground for lung-damaging bacteria. Unlike metal, plastic interacts with municipal water to create a "slime" that protects pathogens from chlorine.
Plastic vs. Metal: Renowned research by Dr. Norman Pace at the University of Colorado found that plastic shower heads harbor significantly higher loads of Mycobacterium avium (a pathogen that causes pulmonary disease) than metal shower heads. The study concluded that plastic promotes the growth of these "biofilms," while metal surfaces (particularly copper and brass) are naturally antimicrobial.
Inhalation Risk: When a plastic shower head is turned on, it aerosolizes these pathogen-filled biofilms into a fine mist, which is then inhaled deep into the lungs.
Source: Feazel, L. M., et al. (2009). "Opportunistic pathogens enriched in showerhead biofilms." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).
3. Chemical Leaching & Heat Activation
The combination of heat and water acts as a solvent, accelerating the release of chemicals from plastic.
Thermal Leaching: Most plastics, including PVC and ABS used in shower fixtures, release higher concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), BPA, and phthalates when exposed to hot water (100°F+).
Absorption: In a hot shower, human pores open, and the lungs inhale steam. This creates a "double exposure" route for leached chemicals—both transdermal (through skin) and respiratory (breathing vapors).
Source: Zimmermann, L., et al. (2021). "Plastic Products Leach Chemicals That Induce In Vitro Toxicity under Realistic Use Conditions." Environmental Science & Technology.
4. The Superiority of Metal
Metal fixtures (specifically Stainless Steel 304, Brass, or Copper) provide a safe alternative:
Inert Material: Metal does not leach chemicals when heated.
Antimicrobial: Copper and brass alloys exhibit the "oligodynamic effect," naturally killing bacteria and preventing the biofilm buildup seen in plastic.
Durability: Metal eliminates the microplastic shedding that occurs as plastic fixtures degrade over time.
Would you like me to look up the contact information or the next meeting schedule for the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors to help you deliver this?
The video discusses growing concerns about lead contamination in household water due to plumbing parts, particularly faucets and showerheads manufactured overseas (0:00-0:14). Senator Tammy Duckworth brought attention to this issue after discovering that even after replacing lead service lines, lead problems persist because imported fixtures are leaching lead into the water supply (0:34-0:56).
Key points from the video:
- Recalls and Public Safety Warnings (0:57-1:14): The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued recalls and warnings for several faucets sold on Amazon found to have unsafe lead levels, especially harmful for babies, young children, and pregnant women, potentially causing neurological issues and lower IQ scores.
- Testing Results (1:15-1:43): New testing by American faucet brand Moen and an independent agency found that 17 of 19 top-selling foreign-made faucets purchased online failed to meet national drinking water standards. Many of these retailed for $20-$50, with 11 testing positive for lead and 15 for organic compounds linked to cancer, birth defects, and organ damage.
- Continued Sales and Recommendations (1:44-2:59): Over 35 million potentially dangerous faucets were sold in the past five years. Despite recalls, some products from identified brands were still for sale on Amazon. The CPSC advises consumers to immediately stop using these faucets and, until replaced, to run water for about 15 seconds before drinking. Senator Duckworth recommends buying American-made plumbing products because they are held to specific safety standards, including lead testing.
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