Where Do You Guys Pour Your Lead?

[Guest Gangel]

Ok, Kasil... This puts things more in perspective.  You are talking bulk and dust storms... what was ultimately the outcome of people working there?  Did lots of guys get pulled for too high of numbers?  And were they pulled for actual lead poisoning, or heavy metal toxicity? 

 

I know this might be beating a dead horse, and by all means, take precautions if you feel better.  But it bugs me when guys will be pouring for an hour, then go take a smoke break and pound down two or more "drinks".  I've always felt that the health effects of smoking and drinking were way worse than the little amounts of lead most people pour.

 

Plus, if this was that big of a concern, alot of people would be ripping out there plumbing and replacing it to make sure it was a-ok too.  I'm not saying there is a high probability of any lead solder or anything, especially if built/worked on after like 1985 or so.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Ok, Kasil... This puts things more in perspective.  You are talking bulk and dust storms... what was ultimately the outcome of people working there?  Did lots of guys get pulled for too high of numbers?  And were they pulled for actual lead poisoning, or heavy metal toxicity? 

 

I know this might be beating a dead horse, and by all means, take precautions if you feel better.  But it bugs me when guys will be pouring for an hour, then go take a smoke break and pound down two or more "drinks".  I've always felt that the health effects of smoking and drinking were way worse than the little amounts of lead most people pour.

 

Plus, if this was that big of a concern, alot of people would be ripping out there plumbing and replacing it to make sure it was a-ok too.  I'm not saying there is a high probability of any lead solder or anything, especially if built/worked on after like 1985 or so.

I was only at the mine for a year and a half or so before taking a transfer to another job with higher pay and less responsibility.

As far as I know there was only one person I heard about removed from the mill(where the lead is processed and the highest risk was). He had previously worked at other mines not requiring a respirator and came to this mine with somewhat elevated lead levels to begin with.

They have very strict policies at the mine regarding washing and keeping lead out of camp and other areas it doesn't belong.

As far as other metals go only a handful of people were tested regularly for cadmium and other toxic metals depending on the risk levels associated with their job. for the rest of us lead shows up easiest and is a good indicator so if your lead levels climb to the watch level then you got tested for other stuff.

I agree with you though that lead fumes are not as big a hazard as many would have you believe.

They informed us at the mine the average Americans blood lead levels were ~17mg/dl when leaded gas was in use versus 3 or 4mg/dl (I believe) today.

mg/dl= micrograms of lead per deciliter of blood.

I use a thermometer in my pot and use natural ventilation (pouring outside)as well as a fan when needed.  I use proper hygiene practices and wear FRC(fire resistant  Nomex coveralls) while working with lead among other safety practices.

Edited August 24, 2013 by Kasilofchrisn

[BLT]

Some good reading here at the end.

 

I'm like Kasil....rough pour outside,  make ingots, pour molds in the garage.

 

I thought I read that the lead had to hit a certain temp for the "bad" stuff to go airborne.

Edited August 24, 2013 by BLT

[gone2long]

Some good reading here at the end.

 

I'm like Kasil....rough pour outside,  make ingots, pour molds in the garage.

 

I thought I read that the lead had to hit a certain temp for the "bad" stuff to go airborne.

That may be true for virgin lead but who the heck really knows what other nasty things are in there, I don't think expecting you have quality lead is an open invitation to deviate from safe handling practices.

[joelhains]

I clean dirty scrap lead outside on a propane stove and pour it into ingots. After that I pour...wait for it... in the living room.

 

I am with some of the other guys who have posted here. As long as I'm not eating the lead and I wash my hand after pouring and before I eat I am not worried about it. after I clean and pour into ingots outside the lead is quite clean so the impurities are kept to a minimum and I don't really have to worry about breathing in the impurities. I too have found it ironic that many of the people who are overly cautious about breathing in lead fumes are in fact often the same people who take smoke breaks between pours. Here I thought I was the only one!  

[Kasilofchrisn]

That may be true for virgin lead but who the heck really knows what other nasty things are in there, I don't think expecting you have quality lead is an open invitation to deviate from safe handling practices.

My lead gets fluxed and cleaned before I would ever consider pouring inside. There isn't much for impurities left after proper fluxing and skimming.

  I would also still have ventilation inside via a fan and open window.

I do not wear a respirator when casting though. I think that's what many guys are getting at here.

Keep the temp below 900* and you shouldn't need a respirator but would still need some ventilation via fan/open window or equivalent.

There is no excuse for poor lead handling practices. There is also no reason to go overboard with respirators and full on HVAC systems for guys pouring 200 jigs a year in their garage.

[RAWJigs]

i hate pouring on the front porch cause of the traffic in and out, but at that apartment you are talking about, if you are just pouring I would go just on the back screened area and start pouring. 

[smallmouthaholic]

Lead fumes, powder paint particulate matter , plastisol vapors/fumes/ smoke -micro-wave exhaust and fumes from water base paints and epoxies are all safe providing the garage door /window is open and /or you only pour /paint w/limited exposure..

Hopefully all of the aforementioned  do not slowly build up over time in your respiratory / blood system and cause serious health issues years from now.

 

 

Edited for spelling

Edited September 9, 2013 by smallmouthaholic

[Tree_Fish]

I pour my jigs outside on a table under a covered patio. I keep two box fans , 1 on each side of the pot, sucking air away from the pot and 2 ceiling fans about 5 foot out to each side going as well. I don't touch anything but my materials while pouring, immediately after I'm done I clean up any mess I made on the table, go wash my hands, strip down and throw the clothes in the washer and hop in the shower. I wont say this is the safest method but I try and take every precaution that I can. I only pour for myself and a couple of friends so I don't have to worry as much as you guys that are doing quantities. Even though I only deal in small quantities I still plan on getting a respirator in the near future. Regardless of what anyone on the internet says everyone's bodies react differently, there really is no telling what is acceptable for your body until you reach the point that you have gotten sick and then you know have you have had to much exposure. IMO there aren't any measures you could take that would would be going to far or look foolish, and as smallmouthaholic said above you just cant be to safe. I would rather know that I am protected at all times than just thinking I am and end up  poisoned. There are parties on both sides arguing the point but what it boils down to for me is I only have one body, I want to make sure I am still able to do the things I enjoy as I get older and taking care of my body is the best way to do it

[Painter1]

Pouring lead anywhere near food prep or dining areas strikes me as a bad idea.

 

For those of us using Lee pots the most significant heavy-metal overexposure risk can be eliminated by a thorough washing of your face and hands before smoking eating or drinking.

 

I am a Licensed Missouri Lead Supervisor and work in in the industrial lead based paint removal field where this is very much an issue.

 

Dangers from lead are vaporized fumes, dust (especially dust smaller than 10 microns) and ingestion.  

 

Smoking and or eating/drinking before washing face and hands is a common problem that can spike your blood lead levels VERY quickly.  Insufficient respiratory protection against airborne lead particles can also be an issue of concern but is not as likely in our described situation. (Maximum airborne exposure is 50 ug/m3). 

 

 We monitor all workers blood lead levels including actual lead percentage and ZPP,  If I remember correctly, ZPP measures retention. We use engineering controls (dust collectors, forced air hoods, etc) to minimize or eliminate the hazard.  OSHA establishes maximum blood lead levels and we work with Industrial Hygienist exposure to test and prove our controls are effective.  

 

The only way to be sure where you stand is to have a blood test.  Levels above 30 ppm are reason for concern.  Above 50 ppm is a problem. 

[gaspumper]

I have been pouring and tieing jigs since 1974.I flux and melt the raw lead outside and pour into 1lb lngots then store them in the house.I use to pour in a spare bedroom of the house now i live in an apartment and pour in the front room with the patio door open,I pour and tie in access of 5,000 jigs a year.I have had my blood checked 2 times in the last 10 years and no problems sofar.

[emptystringer81]

_{What would yall say the best respirator to use is? There is ALOT out there to pick from, And is it legit to wash clothes after pouring lead? I never heard of washing ur clothes after pouring. I wash my hands when done. I guess better safe than sorry. Thanks for everyones input, I learned alot}

[Kasilofchrisn]

_{What would yall say the best respirator to use is? There is ALOT out there to pick from, And is it legit to wash clothes after pouring lead? I never heard of washing ur clothes after pouring. I wash my hands when done. I guess better safe than sorry. Thanks for everyones input, I learned alot}

The best respirator to wear is the size and brand you have been fit tested for.

That's the only way to be sure the one your wearing is actually protecting you like it should.

If you are not fit tested then buy a name brand respirator(North,Scott,3M) that is available to you locally and get fit tested in it.

Keep it clean and always put it away in a sealed plastic bag when done. Ziplocs work good.

The purple Hepa cartridges are good for dust and the OV(organic Vapor) cartridges are good for fumes.They also make a defender cartridge that has both on it.

Just remember the OV cartridge is only good for ~12 hours once the package is opened before needing replacement. the Hepa cartridges are good until they get clogged up or really dirty.

The white paper masks are not good for fumes and should not be worn for such as they are only a simple dust mask.

That being said If you pour in a well ventilated area and watch your lead temps you don't really need a respirator at all.

Yes you can wash your clothes after pouring lead .The only thing to watch for is actual lead that is stuck to your clothes if you have an o-crap moment and get some on you.Then try to remove the lead off the clothes first.

But there again there should not be any issues unless you get some on you. You cannot get lead poisoning from lead fumes left in your clothes. Like I said pour in a well ventilated area and you will be fine.

I pour wearing a set of Nomex fire resistant coveralls I had left over from a job I was on where the company is no longer in business.

That way it keep my clothes cleaner. I keep the area ventilated with fans and always keep a thermometer in my ladle pot to make sure the temp stays in the 650*-750* range with my bottom pour pot I just keep the setting in a safe range.

No respirator needed for me. I do wear it with certain airbrush paints if I am not powder painting things.

I wear a North Half mask with OV cartridges for that.My primary employer has fit tested me for one so I know it fits properly and I have been trained on cleaning and maintenance.

[BLT]

_{What would yall say the best respirator to use is? There is ALOT out there to pick from, And is it legit to wash clothes after pouring lead? I never heard of washing ur clothes after pouring. I wash my hands when done. I guess better safe than sorry. Thanks for everyones input, I learned alot}

 

Had to get my reading glasses out for your post lol.   Here I thought everything was bigger in Texas!

 

Don't wear one. Rough melt outside and stay up wind, pour in garage with doors/windows open, and fan blowing. Even in the winter when it's cold out....have the window open right above where I pour with a fan there to draw the smell out.

 

My Dad had one of those stove/range hoods with the fan and light in it mounted above where he poured. Ran a flexable hose from the range hood to the window. Neat little set up.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Had to get my reading glasses out for your post lol.   Here I thought everything was bigger in Texas!

 

 

Yes things may be bigger in Texas but in Alaska everything is 2 and 1/2 times bigger than it is in Texas. lol

[WidowMaker]

We recently sold our house and I moved into an apartment while I look for a job on the East Coast so I can be back with my wife and daughter. i used to pour jigs in our second garage. It turns out that I am not allowed to BBQ on the balcony of my apartment- so I think pouring lead jigs is definitely out!

Pouring jigs outside - assuming I could get electricity to the melting pot- is not something with which I would feel comfortable because of the possibility of something dropping in the pot.

Any ideas on where I can pour jigs?

Thanks,

Pete

 

Why not set up a table next to a window and do your pouring there?

 

And so far as pouring lead outside your apartment it sounds like youve pretty well figured out that you are only as safe as the most reckless person who happens to come walking by will allow you to be.

Or the wildest bunch of teenage boys who come walking by...lol.

 

I remember this one National Geographic article that had pictures of these underground lead miners (in some third world country) who were colored with grey residue from head to toe and all you could see was the whites of their eyes. The only safety precautions they were using was they were drinking huge quantities of milk hoping it would coat their stomachs to keep them from absorbing the lead into their bodies. Im serious and as unbelievable as it sounds im not making that story up.

Edited January 7, 2015 by WidowMaker

[BLT]

Why not set up a table next to a window and do your pouring there?

 

And so far as pouring lead outside your apartment it sounds like youve pretty well figured out that you are only as safe as the most reckless person who happens to come walking by will allow you to be.

Or the wildest bunch of teenage boys who come walking by...lol.

 

I remember this one National Geographic article that had pictures of these underground lead miners (in some third world country) who were colored with grey residue from head to toe and all you could see was the whites of their eyes. The only safety precautions they were using was they were drinking huge quantities of milk hoping it would coat their stomachs to keep them from absorbing the lead into their bodies. Im serious and as unbelievable as it sounds im not making that story up.

 

Did you see the episode of Myth busters where they stuck their finger into water, then into the pot of melted lead w/o being burned? 

[WidowMaker]

Yes i saw that but i ignored it (for my better most interest) because knowing me i might start thinking about trying it...lol.

[odinohi]

Ingestion and inhalation are most common ways to raise lead levels. The guys that work at indoor shooting ranges are really at risk from the dust particles.

Children should not be around lead at all. It affects them differently.

I don't know everything about lead or lead poison, but I pour a lot of it. I had lead level checked 3 years ago and it was 3.1. Need to get it checked again. If you keep an eye on your levels and they go up, you can try different things to keep it from going up more. If they get too high, just stay away from it completely. I'll try to remember to post my next level check on this thread.

[Kasilofchrisn]

Ingestion and inhalation are most common ways to raise lead levels. The guys that work at indoor shooting ranges are really at risk from the dust particles.

Children should not be around lead at all. It affects them differently.

I don't know everything about lead or lead poison, but I pour a lot of it. I had lead level checked 3 years ago and it was 3.1. Need to get it checked again. If you keep an eye on your levels and they go up, you can try different things to keep it from going up more. If they get too high, just stay away from it completely. I'll try to remember to post my next level check on this thread.

If your last check was 3.1 mg/dl you are a long ways from the levels that will do you any harm.

When I was working in the zinc/lead mine mill I had my blood checked every 3 months per company policy.

I need to get myself checked again thanks for the reminder.