[ I asked MMDer Jim Heyworth, who is a retired medical doctor
 [ as well as practical "hands-on" technician, to write about the
 [ hazards of handling lead and how to handle lead safely.  A second
 [ article will appear in tomorrows MMD which addresses some lead
 [ handling problems at businesses.  -- Robbie

Hi Robbie,  Hey!  I said I'm retired!

Seriously, though, I am _not_ an expert in lead poisoning.  Nevertheless
I will say that the hazard of handling lead in any form is a matter to
be considered seriously.

Lead is a dangerous substance and so it's proper handling is important.
Its chronic effects are insidious and usually not obvious in the early
stages of chronic (long-term and mild as opposed to acute [large or
frequent exposure over short time]) poisoning, which can lead to
complacency on the part of the user.  With mild exposure the body will
eventually eliminate a good part (probably not all) of it over a long
period.

_All_ forms of lead should be kept away from children.  Their developing
brains and nervous systems are particularly vulnerable.  On top of that,
because their bodies are small, large concentrations can occur without
a great deal of exposure.  The occasional handling of, for example, lead
fishing weights is probably okay for older kids but they should never
put them into their mouths and should wash their hands after handling
them.  The best solution is to use weights made of other materials.  The
worst situation is for infants and small children ingesting lead paint.
This can result in serious neurotoxicity to the point of permanent
mental retardation.

I'm sure that 99% of us have handled lead casually and have felt no ill
effects and will probably continue to do so.  This can make us think it
is perfectly safe since at low doses the immediate effects are minimal
and not obvious.

Users should be very careful to avoid the fumes from hot lead (and
solder), to wash their hands (and not lick their fingers before doing
so) after handling lead and, if they are working with it extensively,
change their clothes and bathe.

Breathing or ingesting the white powder from deteriorating lead tubing
(and yes, I have ingested it accidentally) is to be avoided, of course.
I would like to recommend the use of a respirator while handling such
tubing but it has to be comfortable and of high quality (not just a
paper mask) or it can become so uncomfortable that keeping contaminated
fingers away from the face will be impossible.  Just being very careful
and using some means to suppress the dust should be satisfactory but,
as we all know, this can be difficult.

I don't think there is any practical point in going into whether we are
dealing with lead oxide, lead arsenate, or what have you.  Impurities
in the metal can result in all sorts of different poisonous compounds
and who's going to take a bit of powder in to be analyzed before working
on the old pianner anyway ?

Just be careful: consider the powder dangerous, don't eat or breathe it,
don't put lead tubing in your mouth and don't lick your fingers.  Isn't
that what Mom told you anyway ?

Anyhow, that's my two cents worth, and you know how much good medical
advice you can get for two cents these days.  ;-)

Jim Heyworth,
Sechelt, B.C., Canada