What precautions should I take working with molten lead? I've read alot about the dangers of lead and how melting lead creates lead fumes that can leave lead residue. I am interested in hearing how people who actually pour lead deal with the danger of lead poisoning. I am particularly interested in your views if you have poured lead as a plumber in an indoor setting.
2006-10-12 23:20:59 · 4 answers · asked by Jack C 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You should use a half-face negative pressure respirator. NOT just a white dusk mask. It should be fitted with a combination filter. It will have 3 colors.
It would be best if you could get help on choosing the correct size and how to preform "fit checks" to insure it is sealed correctly.
The colors are:
Yellow is organic vapors
Black is charcoal
Purple is HEPA or High Efficiency Particulate Air
As stated above do this out side. I wouldn't do it indoors even with a fan. If you do it indoors the lead will settle back onto the floors. Even if your in your garage this lead dust can then be tracked into the house long after your done.
2006-10-13 08:55:30 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very interesting question. I went through a Boilermaker's apprenticeship 30 years ago and we practiced pouring lead joints. We had absolutely no protection. I just don't recall at the time if we understood the hazards. Pouring lead on the job disappeared about that time and I only had to do it once during my career. I would contact the lead (bars?) manufacturers and see what MSDS info they have. Just remember that to protect themselves they're going to go to the extreme. I would think that if you just wanted to be practical, you could wear a GOOD FITTING dual cartridge breather (check the filter spec's!) and have a small fan blowing away the gases rising from the pot and be pretty safe. I wouldn't let my children around this but if you're 30 or older you're losing so many brain cells due to aging anyway that you'll probably never notice even if the lead gas did cause some problems. Everybody has a few twitches occasionally. Really though, I can't think of too many applications where you couldn't avoid having to melt lead. There are so many fitting adapters that you should be able to connect nearly any two materials without having to resort to lead?? Good luck.
2006-10-13 00:00:45 · answer #2 · answered by mike d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Mike D. only to add I've melted lots of lead and even Linotype (lead and zinc used to made printing plates) in the process of casting bullets for my reloading activities and have never observed any real ill affects apart from the occasional burn. We either use an oxy-acetylene torch or a camp stove with a cast iron skillet for a smelting pot. The fumes from the gasses used for fuel were far worse than any from the lead. Of course common sense tells you you don't smelt anything in confined spaces or standing directly over your smelting pot. Exercise a bit of caution and you should have no problems.
2006-10-13 01:08:10 · answer #3 · answered by Ibeeware 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good face air filter and welder's gloves. Get those first then make sure you have good ventilation. You do not want to be burned by any molten metal no matter what kind it is. And you need to protect your lungs.
2006-10-16 14:29:56 · answer #4 · answered by sharonmm2007 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋