Is it possible to get lead poisoning from making stained glass art?
- on 09.29.09
- Stained Glass Art
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I’m looking into the hobby but need to know the dangers of working with the lead. Thanks!
From personal and anecdotal experience I would say that no, you don’t need to worry about lead poisoning from stained glass work.
As far as I know, you actually have to injest lead (as in children eating lead paint chips causing the lead paint laws). In stained glass you touch lead came, but it’s solid and you obviously won’t be putting it near your mouth.
There are fumes from solder, but you can buy lead-free solder. But industry folk usually say it isn’t necessary, as solder is mostly tin and aluminium anyway.
If you’re just a hobbyist, and not a high-volume studio, the amount of lead is not going to be enough to be a problem. Even so, simply take sensible precautions like latex gloves, face mask, and a well-ventilated area. And don’t eat food in your studio and wash your hands after you finish working.
I think stained glass is a fun and safe hobby. Oh, and keep some bandaids nearby too!
From personal and anecdotal experience I would say that no, you don’t need to worry about lead poisoning from stained glass work.
As far as I know, you actually have to injest lead (as in children eating lead paint chips causing the lead paint laws). In stained glass you touch lead came, but it’s solid and you obviously won’t be putting it near your mouth.
There are fumes from solder, but you can buy lead-free solder. But industry folk usually say it isn’t necessary, as solder is mostly tin and aluminium anyway.
If you’re just a hobbyist, and not a high-volume studio, the amount of lead is not going to be enough to be a problem. Even so, simply take sensible precautions like latex gloves, face mask, and a well-ventilated area. And don’t eat food in your studio and wash your hands after you finish working.
I think stained glass is a fun and safe hobby. Oh, and keep some bandaids nearby too!
References :
http://www.stainedglassnews.co.uk/tec_tips.htm
I disagree with the first answer and ask you to exercise reasonable caution. Stained glass workers and their children have been tested and the sloppier workers have shown high levels of lead in themselves and some of their children.
While you won’t be sucking or chewing on the lead, if you use lead came instead of copper foil and use lead based solder, which melts and flows more easily than lead free, then you could be transferring the lead to your hands and from there to your food, drink, and clothing and directly to the kids if you are handling them. Washing hands and face after using lead based products and before eating or drinking is considered important. Changing from work clothes before entering the house and cooking is also considered important. Keeping kids from playing on the floor around the workspace and from playing with the materials is obvious.
If you use copper foil technique and lead free solders, most of the concern goes away. Avoid repairing old windows which almost certainly have lead solder and may have deteriorating surfaces releasing more.
References :