APEC Water Systems · Water Filters
APEC 2-in-1 Pull-Down Kitchen Faucet
Lower concern; standard faucet materials don't require PFAS, though vendor lacks transparency.
Kitchen faucet made with brass, stainless steel, and chrome plating, materials not inherently dependent on PFAS. Brand provides no public disclosure about PFAS avoidance or testing for this model; absence of nonstick or water-repellent coatings is favorable.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Brass body, stainless steel spout, standard kitchen faucet
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Bacterial biofilm growth in spout/aerator
All kitchen faucets accumulate biofilm in the aerator screen and pull-down spray head over time if not cleaned. This is a maintenance issue, not a manufacturing defect. Regular flushing and annual vinegar soak prevent accumulation; risk is low with basic care.
Coating degradation and exposure of base metals
Cheap faucet finishes (chrome plating on brass) can pit or peel after 3-5 years with hard water or acidic conditions, potentially exposing underlying brass. This is a durability issue rather than an acute hazard, but degraded finishes should trigger replacement to avoid aesthetic corrosion and trace metal exposure over years.
What’s reassuring
Bare uncoated material
Recorded as a bare, uncoated material with no surface coating or treatment.
Copper and zinc leaching from brass
Brass bodies comply with US lead regulations (max 0.25% lead as of 2014). Trace copper and zinc leaching occurs only in acidic water (pH below 6.5); most US municipal water is neutral to slightly basic, so this is not a concern for typical households. No leaching data is available for this specific Apex model.
Nickel contamination in stainless steel spout
Food-contact stainless steel (typically 304 or 316 grade) contains 8-12% nickel by design and does not leach under normal water conditions. No recalls or test reports document nickel leaching from this faucet.
Lead
US Safe Drinking Water Act amendments (effective 2014) require brass fittings to test at 0.25% lead or lower when weighted for lead content. No testing data is available for this specific Apex model, but compliance is assumed under US law if sold domestically.
Source, ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
The APEC 2-in-1 faucet uses a brass body, which is the industry standard for kitchen faucets. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, chosen for corrosion resistance and durability in constant water contact. The stainless steel spout reduces the surface area in direct contact with drinking water compared to all-brass designs. Neither brass nor stainless steel leaches significant metals under normal pH household water conditions, though brass can release trace copper and zinc if water is very acidic (pH below 6.5).
The brand's record and disclosure
Apex (the manufacturer) does not publicly disclose material sourcing, manufacturing standards, or third-party certifications for this faucet. The brand is silent on heavy metal testing or NSF certification, which is standard transparency in the faucet market. No recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific model. For a commodity product like a kitchen faucet, lack of disclosure is typical of budget-tier manufacturers but represents a missed opportunity for consumer confidence.
How it compares in its category
Budget kitchen faucets from lesser-known brands like Apex typically use identical brass-and-stainless construction to certified alternatives (Moen, Delta, Kohler), so material hazard profiles are equivalent. The main differentiator in this category is manufacturing quality control and warranty length, not chemistry. Apex faucets generally lack NSF 61 certification (which tests for lead and other leachates), a feature found in mid-range competitors; however, standard brass formulations under US lead regulations (enforced since 2014) are still acceptably low-lead. The pull-down spray mechanism is common across all price tiers and poses no unique hazards.
If you buy it
Run water for 30 seconds before first use and after extended periods (overnight or vacation) to clear any residual manufacturing debris or biofilm in the spout. Monitor the spray head and aerator for mineral buildup every 6-12 months; unscrew and soak in equal vinegar/water if water pressure drops. Do not use harsh descaling chemicals (like CLR) on the brass finish, as these can pit the protective oxide layer; white vinegar is a lower concern alternative. Brass faucets typically last 5-10 years with normal use; replacement is straightforward and will likely be needed before any material leaching becomes a concern.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- APEC Water Systems has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More water filters grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.