What you're saying about leaded fixtures doesn't make sense to me. You say that lead safe fixtures are leaded, but this seems to mean that lead isn't present. Also, what does this have to do with water heater use or fixtures?

> Also, what does this have to do with water heater use or fixtures?

It doesn’t particularly matter if small amounts of lead are used in hot water lines since you don’t (or shouldn’t) drink water from the hot water heater. Ideally your drinking water comes from a faucet that has separate hot/cold taps, if it doesn’t, then you should turn the faucet all the way to ‘cold’ when you’re filling a glass with water to drink.

‘Lead free’ brass still has lead in it. [https://www.thermofisher.com/blog/metals/are-you-manufacturi...]

Just less lead.