Galvanized steel water pipe and cancer?

[Mike Lamb]

The insurance company of a recent client – MetLife, I think – is denying homeowners insurance because of galvanized steel pipe which they say can cause cancer. I have not heard of this before and I cannot find anything reliable on the Internet.   I called my State Farm agent this morning and she said she has never heard anything about old galvanized steel pipe being a health hazard and State Farm would not deny coverage.   Maybe it's a California thing?

[Marc]

In California, toothpaste causes cancer.  So does the box that it comes in.  This concludes my rant.

Edited October 15, 2018 by Marc

[Bill Kibbel]

Some early galvanized piping is known to have some very small amounts of cadmium and lead introduced with the zinc coating. Never have I heard of any health issue.