Home made sinker warning

[Horse]

This was posted on Fishnet



news release: home-made lead sinkers pose health risk by bia victoria

Dated: 27 March, 2009

BIA Victoria has added its voice to a new campaign by the Victorian Department of Human Services to warn anglers of the dangers of lead poisoning from home-made lead sinkers.

Two Melbourne families were treated recently for lead poisoning after making lead sinkers at home, and DHS senior medical adviser Dr Marion Carey said she was alarmed at the number of lead poisoning cases related to manufacturing sinkers.

“People are obviously unaware of the dangers of bringing lead into their homes,” she said.

“Lead poisoning can have serious effects – brain damage, infertility, high blood pressure, memory loss and learning difficulties in children. Symptoms include headaches, muscle and abdominal pain, weakness and concentration problems.”

BIA general Manager Robert Coco said the best way to reduce the risk was to stop using lead altogether.

“These days there are many sinkers made of less toxic compounds including tin, bismuth and tungsten, so using lead sinkers is putting you and your family at unnecessary risk,” he said.

For people still using lead, essential precautions include:

? Never work with lead inside the home, and always shower and change clothes and shoes before going inside after working with lead.

? Never work with lead near children or pregnant women.

? Never use a grinder or sander on lead materials as the lead dust can float into your home on your clothes.

? Always wear a respirator when working with lead, and thoroughly clean your work area after you have finished.


If you would like further information on BIA Victoria www.biavic.com.au

[bassfan]

No one should muck around recycling lead unless they know what the dangers are and take appropriate precautions.

bassfan

[bassfan]

Good post Horse. Lead is evil stuff & I could never understand why anyone would jeopardize their health by working with the stuff just to save a few bucks.
The fumes from melting it down are enough to cause permanent damage to your health.
I had a dog years ago that suffered severe lead poisoning & nearly died because the guy next door was renovating and sanding lead paint from his house. Once ingested it's there for ever.....

bassfan

[Lucky_Phill]

Neil,

I have an issue with some of that statement.

The part about using a ' grinder '...... anyone ever tried to use a grinder on sinkers... . I know he was probably referring to " paint ", but the story is about " sinkers ' and the making there of.

Yes, I hope we are all well aware of the issues here.

I personally use a pedestal fan that blows across the fumes emanating from the molten lead. I always melt lead / make sinkers outside and inform family members to steer clear.

The good doctor has also neglected to put a figure on the numbers of cases that have " alarmed " her.

cheers phill
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[deepfried]

Thanks Horse. I just spent the last hour pouring some metals for tailor and then i read that. I think i might start to do things a bit smarter and safer. Metals came up a treat though.

Scott

[deepfried]

Great idea with the fan Phill.

Scott

[Horse]

I don't think there is anything to be really alarmed about and it certainly won't stop me from rolling my own . Its just a good idea to be aware of some of the control measures we can put in place to minimize the risk. The fan is a great idea.

[murf]

bugger and I just put a cut in a barrel sinker with a skinny disc on the grinder for a mackerel rig

will take note and use a mask next time

I always make sinkers outside even though I have an industrial sized shed

cheers Murf

[Lucky_Phill]

There seems to be more emphasis on young children exposed to lead than adults.

There is also a trend towards lead paint than other forms of contamination.

I had very high lead levels years ago, as being a painter, I was often sanding off lead paint and inhaling dust. bad bad thing, but levels dropped back well under tolerence within a few months of stopping that activity all together.

No side effects, other than a strong desire to fish, fish and drink, drink and fish and go fishing on weather perfect days.... mmmm lead.... yummy !!!


Lead is a naturally occurring metal. It is used in industry and, in the past, was added to petrol and household paints. Lead is a hazard when taken into the body by swallowing or breathing.

Common household sources
Common sources of lead around the home include:

• Lead-based paint
• Lead-contaminated soil or household dust
• Lead lighting materials
• Lead sinkers used for fishing
• Lead flashing for roofing materials
• Lead piping or solder
• Lead crystal
• Glazed pottery
• Pewter.

Young children are especially vulnerable
Lead exposure can permanently damage the brain and impair intellectual development. Children under five years of age are especially vulnerable to lead exposure because:

• They frequently put their hands to their mouths
• They absorb more ingested lead than adults (50 per cent compared to 10 per cent)
• Their developing brains are more sensitive to the effects of lead.

Unborn babies are also at risk, since lead swallowed (ingested) by the pregnant mother readily passes through the placenta.

Children with pica – a behaviour that leads them to eat non-food items such as soil, stones or paint flakes – are also at an increased risk of lead exposure.

Symptoms – acute exposure
The symptoms of acute lead poisoning (a high level at one time) include:

• Muscle pains
• Fatigue
• Abdominal pains
• Headache
• Vomiting
• Seizures
• Coma.

Symptoms – chronic exposure
Chronic (long-term or ongoing) exposure to lower levels of lead may produce general symptoms such as:

• Irritability
• Lack of energy
• Loss of appetite
• Learning disabilities
• Poor hearing
• Behavioural problems
• Poor school performance
• Poor coordination
• Impaired growth.

Many of these symptoms could be caused by other conditions so it is important to see a doctor if you have any concerns.

Some children may not have any symptoms at all.

Lead exposure in Australia
The most common sources of lead exposure in Australia include:

• Paint – lead-based household paints were used before 1970. Children are particularly at risk during redecoration or renovation, since paint chips may be picked up and swallowed or dust breathed in or swallowed.
• Air pollution – sources of airborne lead include the activities of various industries, such as vehicle battery works, iron and steel production, soldering and copper and lead smelters. Vehicles that ran on leaded petrol used to emit (put out) lead in their exhaust. In early 2002, leaded petrol was phased out in Australia.
• Soil – soil can become contaminated with lead in a variety of ways, including deteriorating or incorrectly removed lead-based household paints and the previous use of leaded petrol. Industrial activities and mining can lead to high lead levels in soil.
• Dust – household dust may contain lead from a number of sources, including deteriorating lead-based household paint, contaminated soil or dust brought into the house on your feet or clothes or on your pets’ paws or fur.
• Food – storing food in pewter, lead crystal glassware or pottery containing lead-based glazes is not recommended. Imported cans from specialty stores with irregularly soldered side seams may contain high levels of lead. More than 20 years ago, canned foods used to be soldered with lead and certain pesticides used on fruit also contributed to the lead levels in food. Today, legislation restricts lead levels in Australian foods to safe limits.
• Water – Melbourne’s water supplies only contain minute amounts of lead. Some copper household pipes used to be soldered with lead, which can dissolve into water that may be sitting in these pipes.
• Hobbies and occupations – people can take lead residues into their homes on work clothes, skin, hair and equipment after contact with lead in their work or hobbies. Such occupations include vehicle or boat repairs and restoration which use lead-based paints, radiator repairs or battery reclamation, cable stripping and working in a foundry or smelter. Hobbies that involve the use of lead include glazed pottery making, jewellery making, stained glass making and shooting or fishing, especially if it includes making lead fishing sinkers.
• Toys – old painted toys (for example, cars or toy soldiers) may contain high levels of lead. Current Australian standards strictly limit the amount of lead in Australian-made or painted toys. However, some imported toys have presented a risk and may do so again. Also, very old cots or second-hand painted cots may contain higher, unsafe levels of lead.

The Department of Human Services (Victoria) can provide advice about lead sources in the home and how to manage them in a way that is safe for your family.

Diagnosis and treatment
Suspected cases of lead poisoning can be diagnosed by doing a blood test.
If you or a member of your family believes they have been exposed to lead, visit your doctor for further advice and a blood test.

The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) set a national goal for all Australians who do not work in a lead industry. A blood lead level of less than 0.48 mol/L (or 10 g/dL) is recommended. In children with a blood lead level greater than 0.72 mol/L (15 g/dL), personal sources of lead exposure should be checked and action taken to control them.

Your doctor or paediatrician can give you advice about treatment and may recommend retesting to assess the effectiveness of any actions taken.

Prevention
If you think you live in a situation where you may be exposed to lead, following these suggestions can reduce your exposure:

• When redecorating or renovating your pre-1970s home, it is not necessary to remove all lead-based paint. In fact, simply painting over old paint will reduce the amount of lead dust. Pregnant women and children under five should not be present while renovation disturbing lead-based paint is taking place.
• Clean the house regularly and ensure there is no build-up of dust. Wet dust floors, ledges, window sills and other flat surfaces.
• Discourage your toddler from playing in or eating dirt and from putting dirty fingers or toys in their mouth. Wash toys and dummies frequently. Wash children’s hands and faces before they eat or nap.
• Wash fruit and vegetables before eating.
• Wash family pets frequently. Don’t let them sleep on beds.
• Ensure that children do not have access to peeling paint or chewable surfaces painted with lead-based paint, such as old cots and window sills.
• Old toys may be made of or painted with lead-based paint. If you are unsure, take the safe option and do not give them to children to play with.
• Avoid storing food in pewter, lead crystal or glazed pottery containers.
• Ensure your child’s diet is adequate in calcium and iron and avoid high fat diets because they encourage lead absorption.
• If you suspect your plumbing may contain lead, arrange to have the water tested. The National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) can provide laboratory contact information – their telephone number is (03) 9329 1633.
• Follow the appropriate safety regulations at work if your job or hobby involves the use of lead. Do not bring home lead-contaminated work clothing to wash with the household laundry.

phill
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[oldboot]

Lead is definitely an issue but the precautions for working with and melting lead are reasonable simple and straight forward......do not inhale the fumes and do not do it inside.
and wash yourself and you clothes thouroughly and seperately.

Lots of people used to do their sinkers in the kitchen using the kitchen stove......hmm lead in a food preparation area.

I have met a few blokes who have aquired high lead levels.

It is not true to say that once it is there it is there for keeps........the body is capable of naturaly getting rid of lead.... but incredibly slowly.....there are diet measures and medical measures that can be used to accelerate lead level reduction... but not by much.

Th big problem with particulate lead in the air is that it stays suspended for a very long time....although lead is a heavy metal it can be made by varous means in to incredibly fine thin flakes that float on air very well.

working lead with power tools is a very bad idea far more dangerous than melting lead.
If you must cut or machine lead it should be done at a slow cutting rate and in a way that produces only coarse waste particles.

OH if you are going to work with lead you need to clean up immediately and very well......lead sticks to surfaces and in surfaces very well......if you have played with graphite.....lead behaves very similar, it is soft it smears and is very hard to shift but it is far less visable.

work over paper drop sheet and clean up with disposable wipers an put it in the bin sealed in something.


I can see a very good case for looking for alternatives to lead for sinkers, but there are definitely, cost, availability and performance issues.

In europe they are trying to outlaw lead use altogether......they havn't managed to replace the lead acid battery yet.

cheers

[Dave_H]

Awesome post Lucky_Phil. Having lived in Mt Isa (we left in early 2007), where blood testing for lead levels is a part of normal life.

[finga]

I want to see a tunsten sinker.
I don't want to pay for it but I'd love to see one

A question if I may.
To those blokes who use a fan...where do you do to stop the lead simply moving to another spot?
I use a big fan off one of those floppy waggy finger thingo that you see out the front of car dealers and I've put some A?C filter stuff over the back that I dampen when I'm melting lead.
Is that okky dokky??
I'm a bit concerned though. I seem to have the symptoms.

• Lack of energy
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Learning disabilities
• Poor hearing
• Behavioural problems
• Poor school performance
• Poor coordination
• Impaired growth.

They describe me to a tee except I don't have loss of appetite and poor hearing

[sid_fishes]

i do but
deaf as a rats arse
impaired growth,hmm ask my ex wife
as for the other symptoms fits me to a tee
so kiddys when you grow up dont become a metalworker

[oldboot]

Hmmm there are lots of folks that think a simple fan is the solution to their tixic fume problems..

How many mechanics ise a bug fan when working on brakes and just blow it out the door.

Hmmm what happens when the wimd changes and blows all the settled solids right back into the workshop.

One of the real big problems with lead is it ability to hang on the air when it wants euther as particles or fumes and then drop out onto surfaces where it stays till it is washed off or touched.

so here we are happily blowing our lead fumes out of the garrage.... little do we realise that we are coating the underside of the tiltadoor including the handle in a fine lead film.
As well and the driveway for 20 meters past the door........ dogs and kids and fishermen with bare feet...walk all over the driveway and take the lead inside the house.

cheers

[Fishbait]

Awesome post Lucky_Phil. Having lived in Mt Isa (we left in early 2007), where blood testing for lead levels is a part of normal life.

Yep - me too - lived and worked in Isa for nearly 9 years. Left in 2007 as well. If you are aware of the issues of lead and take precautions - I'm sure making your own lead sinkers would be fine. Its like any WH&S issue really. Anyway, happy easter folks. Darren