Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is only the second time I have written a product review. I felt compelled to write the first because the product totally exceeded my expectations. This time I felt to write a review to warn others of the potential health risk associated with this product. We purchased our Zojirushi Water Boiler several years ago, and had actually been delighted with it. It was reliable and convenient, and we had felt it was worth the high price tag - that is until we discovered a serious (health and safety related) flaw the other day. My wife had noticed a gritty sensation while drinking her tea lately and thought it might be due to some contaminates that may have somehow got into the water boiler, so she decided to clean the boiler all over. In the process she disassembled the lid in order to give it a thorough cleaning. We were shocked to discover that plastic parts of the lid internals had disintegrated and much of what was left, simply crumbled when touched! We hadn't just been consuming leached plastics in our beverages, but minute pieces of plastic that had disintegrated into the water. We don't know how long this had been going on for, but it couldn't be good for us. I am not certain of the exact type of plastic used in the lids, but recent health studies on the impact of plastics to human health are a little sobering. Apparently, the manual includes directions to replace the lid every year - according to a previous review. But really, its an appliance! You shouldn't seriously expect the owners to invest $30 a year maintaining the water boiler that you spent close to $300 to purchase - taxes and shipping all in. The choice of more appropriate (and expensive) materials would have avoided this serious problem. I shelled out a lot of money for this product. I would certainly be willing to spend a few more dollars to be assured that it was safe to use.