Lead is nothing to take too lightly guys. With proper care in handling lead, you have nothing to worry about, just wash your hands after handling so you don’t ingest any eating that candy bar or apple.
Remember, lead is what the Roman’s used to bring water to their city. They never knew what lead did to them over time…
Safety first guys, it is not a joke, nor silly…,
No not kidding. Maybe feeling a little silly for having worried, but not kidding. And I >did< live in CA for almost 10 years, but I don’t think that living elsewhere exempts me from at least considering the warnings that state requires. [:D]
In the end, yeah, we all die of something. I figger that there’s no need to rush it, though. [:)]
I think of it this way- when I was growing up, I did a bunch of modelling using good 'ol plastic and wood glue, and solvent-based paints in my family’s kitchen, in MN winter, meaning little to no ventilation. Did I think anything about it? Hardly- what 10-year-old would, even today? Did my parents think anything about it, even my RN mother? No- they encouraged the hobby.
But TODAY it’s another issue- anyone still paint with solvent-based paints without making durn’ certain you’ve got the ventilation in some way, shape, or form? (That is, paint booth, doing it outside, or at least having window/door open to outside?)
My question may also have been influenced by harking back to my grad-school days in Crocker Nuclear Lab, where I always had a little bit of a creepy feeling along my spine every time I went into “The Cave” where our targets and experiments were. I knew intellectually that so long as we were careful, we wouldn’t get any dose (and, sure-enough, over a year my badge never showed even a tiny bit of clouding…). But… there is that knowledge that, if mis-handled, this can be Bad Stuff, and one must keep one’s wits about one-self.
So, yeah, I probably over-reacted. As noted, assuming I don’t go blowing it around (and I ain’t THAT stupid! [}:)]), clean it up well before the four-year-old (actually my biggest concern…) wanders into the garage, and wash my hands well afterwards*, I should be fine.
Brian Pickering
Cutting lead weights with a razor saw or hack saw is not going to produce any dust. (A high-speed Dremel tool is potentially another matter.) The saws will produce course filings that can be scraped up, sealed, and thrown away. If you wash your hands well after handling it, there will be no adverse effects. Don’t smoke when handling lead, as it could get from your fingers to the smoke and into your lungs. Otherwise, it’s not an issue.
Mark C.
I hope this has been cleared up for you, I’m reading the last page. The frame of model locomotives is zinc. No worries!
And, yes, I still paint with solvent based paints when I need them and I’m not worried about it. My exposure time is extremely limited. I don’t spray, I brush! If I sprayed I would would use a booth and mask. Don’t go off the deep end now feeling you must warn me about how dangerous what I do, is! I am just fine. I am way more worried about all the atomized lubricants and grinding dust I breathed as a tool and die maker for 25 years.
I would stay away from any metal dust, if you can. Dust is very fine particles, grinding, not saw, dust. I don’t think lead is as toxic as you make out. Most lead poisoning comes from kids eating lead based paints in dirt. Don’t ingest. I never liked the taste of dirt so I don’t think I’ve been exposed .
Well there ya go. [^]