Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Drinking Water Pipe: Carbon Leaching, Impacts on Microbial Growth, and Developmental Toxicity to Zebrafish

•PEX pipe leaching and contact water toxicity was directly evaluated.•Plastic pipe carbon leaching increased with elevated water temperature.•Chemicals leached caused microbial growth to increase compared to glass controls.•Developing zebrafish exposed to PEX waters exhibited body and brain length changes.•Animal studies are recommended to understand human health effects of PEX water.