<<David C. Stanwood writes -----Don't inhale that SH--T or you might find yourself stuttering more often. Lead oxide is POISON! Don't inhale or ingest it! It won't go through your skin. >> Well, David is right. Lead oxide, white lead, etc. - is "poisonous," but it ain't plutonium. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have worked with lead at various times and thought I would add some rational comments to the irrational discussion and fear of lead in any form. Here they are.- According to the EPA, one adult died in the US in the last three years due to lead poisoning. He was a bullet caster who worked in his basement, which had a coating of lead dust everywhere and always ate sandwiches in the shop without washing up first, according to his daughter. He did this for 10 years. Children and lead based paint - children take up lead oxides at a far higher rate than adults. Their physiology is different. Ever wonder why they would go around eating lead based paints? - They taste sweet. ( try it - then spit) Actually, wealthy romans for a time actually flavored some foods with lead oxides for the sweet taste, and of course never caught on, so they went out! White lead oxides should not be eaten, or breathed, etc - but the oxide isn't very soluble in water. There are other coumpounds of lead, especially a yellow oxide that is formed at higher temperatures that are very soluble, and extremely dangerous to breath. Key leads - recrystalization of impurities in key leads to a different and less dense state can account for the "swelling" noticed frequently. Pure lead is very dense and impermeable to air. Alloyed lead is "open" grained, and after years of internal oxidation and kinetic molecular motion, can change structure and swell. Who is it that started everyone to fearing everything everywhere? Someone convince you that you can live forever if you lead a pure life? The government? Lead is a darn useful product used for more than just balancing tires. Don't stay awake nights worrying about it. Bill Simon.
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