Thought this might be some useful info, esp for the newer pourers. I had some bloodwork done the other day, so I figured my as well throw a lead level in there since the vampires already had their soup. I've been doing my business for 3 years, and have been around lead for personal use for over 15 years.

Leads levels were below the range at which they start worrying about (3.3 something,something units) They don't even give you a total if under that, so I'm GOOD!!! Anyway, here are some of my do's and don'ts I use.

- When handling raw lead 99% of the time I have gloves on. There is the occasional run outside and check something that I don't.

-After handling lead, even with gloves on, I immediatly wash my hands when coming inside.

-99% of raw lead stays OUTSIDE of the house, including poured but unpainted heads. Exception would be when checking orders in to ensure I got everything.

-All dirty lead is cleaned outside in open air

-All poured, but unpainted heads go sealed tuperware containers.....I slip on this one with the ignots though. Some reason I keep leaving them out....

-Clean lead is melted inside shop, but pot is in front of window with window fan. Fan pulls air behind me over pot and out window.

-I always let fan run at least 20 minutes before spending any amount of time in shop.

-I know some wear masks, but I don't. I just don't like them and as long as I can keep it in check I probably won't. That's my personal choice. I would recommend wearing one along with safety glasses for extra precaution. I'm just stubborn.

This may be boring, but figured it would help some new ppl out and ease the worries of some as well. I would encourage having you lead levels checked periodically if you work with lead much just to be on the safe side. If you are careful with it, you will never have any problems. I figure a few dollars every 3 or 4 years to get it checked is well worth it.

Brad,

Good post for the beginners. I too have myu lead levels checked every year. It is well worth the money (like you said) if you pour a lot.

That is great advice. However if you had neighbors close by could they be affected? The only reason I ask and you should be applauded for all of the effort you go through to be safe, but some prickkkk did lead work around his house and his area and neighbors were affected. I'd hate to be a neighbor whose home/yard got lead contamination through no account of my own.

That is great advice. However if you had neighbors close by could they be affected? The only reason I ask and you should be applauded for all of the effort you go through to be safe, but some prickkkk did lead work around his house and his area and neighbors were affected. I'd hate to be a neighbor whose home/yard got lead contamination through no account of my own.

I live in a pretty rural area. The closest neighbor I have is 70 to 80 yards from my shop and that's on the other side of my house. All others are even further than that. I only melt lead outside about twice a year. I do enough at one time to last. I buy much of my stuff that I use, so I really don't do all the much here. At normal lead pot temps you will not have any vapor from the lead. The fan is more for precaution and contaminant fumes than anything. I have a 8 m/o and he is checked at each Dr. visit and he has not been affected, so given the distance to my neighbors and the close contact of my son to me, I would say that any stuff that might be in the air fully dissapates before it travels that distance. Your point is a good one though. There are those that don't think about the other person.

That is great advice. However if you had neighbors close by could they be affected? The only reason I ask and you should be applauded for all of the effort you go through to be safe, but some prickkkk did lead work around his house and his area and neighbors were affected. I'd hate to be a neighbor whose home/yard got lead contamination through no account of my own.

I don't want to sound like a d$$K but I do not believe that all of his neighbors were affected from his pouring. The reason I'm saying this is because I have done extensive research on lead poisoning and you can only get lead poisoning from injesting it (by eating or swallowing lead) or by lead vapors. Now before you say it was vapors. The only way lead vapors get airborn is by boiling lead. With that said unless you boil your lead, there are currently no pots that I know of that you and I buy that will boil lead. One other thing how is it possible to contaminate your neighbors when the lead fumes(not vapors) dissipate at your general location. You would have to have all of these people in an enclosed room with boiling lead. I just don't buy the concept that these people got lead poisoning from him. Not trying to start an arguement. Just my opinion.

Skeeter,

Lucky you that you have such space to work in and once again, I commend you for taken excellent precautions and for the great advice. With the price of jigs and such these days, I have myself been seriously considering pouring my own lead. I have already copied and pasting your post to my pc for future reference.

I don't want to sound like a d$$K but I do not believe that all of his neighbors were affected from his pouring. The reason I'm saying this is because I have done extensive research on lead poisoning and you can only get lead poisoning from injesting it (by eating or swallowing lead) or by lead vapors. Now before you say it was vapors. The only way lead vapors get airborn is by boiling lead. With that said unless you boil your lead, there are currently no pots that I know of that you and I buy that will boil lead. One other thing how is it possible to contaminate your neighbors when the lead fumes(not vapors) dissipate at your general location. You would have to have all of these people in an enclosed room with boiling lead. I just don't buy the concept that these people got lead poisoning from him. Not trying to start an arguement. Just my opinion.

You know, I actually agree with you when it comes to lead as you have stated in your post. With that said, the possibility, however unlikely, still exists, which is why if we embark on pouring lead ourselves that we take as many precautions for our safety and the safety of others.

After a little searching, I found the article in online to which I was referring to. You can read it for yourself here:

http://www.thenewstr...for-tacoma.html

Somehow, someway, this irresponsible ***** did some damage, which you can see for yourself. In addition, with the memory of this being hazy in my own mind, the article clarifies what actually happened vs. what I initially wrote off the top of my senior citizen like memory these days.

I do not think you're a dick, nor do I think you sound like one, lol.

-ib

Skeeter,

Lucky you that you have such space to work in and once again, I commend you for taken excellent precautions and for the great advice. With the price of jigs and such these days, I have myself been seriously considering pouring my own lead. I have already copied and pasting your post to my pc for future reference.

You know, I actually agree with you when it comes to lead as you have stated in your post. With that said, the possibility, however unlikely, still exists, which is why if we embark on pouring lead ourselves that we take as many precautions for our safety and the safety of others.

After a little searching, I found the article in online to which I was referring to. You can read it for yourself here:

http://www.thenewstr...for-tacoma.html

Somehow, someway, this irresponsible ***** did some damage, which you can see for yourself. In addition, with the memory of this being hazy in my own mind, the article clarifies what actually happened vs. what I initially wrote off the top of my senior citizen like memory these days.

I do not think you're a dick, nor do I think you sound like one, lol.

-ib

Very good article and information. I do know that young children are very susceptible of getting lead poisoning. This artcle reads as this guy re-melted lead in this house, and the site before that was a ammunition melting company. I would bet that all these high levels of lead in the soil are from the ammunition company prior to the 23 years he has been doing it, as 30 + years ago there was not enough info on how lead affects people along with any kind of goverment regulation.. The site was unkempt and the new landlord just added to what was already there. I would like to know how the soil was was lead poisoned. Maybe they kept lead outside and it leached into the soil. Yes, you have to be very aware of what you are doing with lead and how you dispose of the dross . Thanks for sharing the article and keeping us all aware of the dangers that lead could pose to us all.