Items with lead are NOT for use in potable water systems and are only for industrial non-drinking water applications
Although these products were used for many years before safe drinking water laws became stronger, they are NO LONGER acceptable for use in potable water systems due to the lead content. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined that for a product to be considered "lead free" under the 2014 Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, it must satisfy the performance standard for lead leaching under NSF Standard 61, Section 9 (NSF 61/9). "Lead free" is defined as to mean not more than a weighted average of 0.25% lead content in pipe and fittings.
What this means for you is the lead content in faucet spouts and fittings is not legally allowed to have more than one-fourth of one percent of lead, so water traveling through compliant faucets will be essentially "lead free", but please be aware that due to the definition of "lead free" as containing not MORE than 0.25%, there may still be trace amounts of lead in products that are defined by law as being "lead free" and for potable/drinking water.
California Proposition 65, "The Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986" is the most stringent law (that we know of) of its kind at either the state or federal level. The federal standard for lead in drinking water is 11 ppb (parts per billion) while prop 65 (Calif) mandates a level of .05ppb. The Center for Environmental Health recommends that consumers run water for 10 seconds before filling a glass to remove water with the highest lead levels (from pre "Act" faucets).
The 2014 law changed the meaning of the term "lead free" in the Health and Safety Code from eight percent lead for pipes or pipe fittings, and four percent lead for plumbing fittings and fixtures to a weighted average of not more than 0.25 percent lead content within each component. The items noted as being NOT for use with potable water systems may have been previously allowed for use in potable water systems, but do NOT meet the newer standards laid forth in the 2014 Federal Safe Drinking Water Act, and therefore cannot be safely used for potable/drinking water applications.
