Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with lead

What is this lead ring?

tellurian — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:17:20 -0800

In this excerpt from Beloved Son Felix, there is a description of a body that they have disinterred for an autopsy. They find a lead ring which causes disgust. What would the lead ring be? The relevant part:

On opening the winding sheet in which the body was sewn, we found a woman with a congenital deformity of the legs, the two feet turned inward. We did an autopsy and found, among other curiosities, various veins vasorum spermaticorum, which were not deformed, but followed the curve of the legs toward the buttocks. She had a lead ring, and as I detest these, it added to my disgust.

Surely not a lead ring on her finger, that wouldn't cause such detestation, would it? Could it be that it was some sort of device she wore because she had deformed legs?

Lead testing next steps

Lazlo Hollyfeld — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 12:59:23 -0800

My wife and I recently had some lead testing done in our apartment which turned up some very high levels. Now we are trying to figure out what to do next. Issues involving lead testing, abatement, leases and tenancy inside. My family (myself, my wife and our 18 month old daughter) moved into our current apartment in New Haven, Connecticut, in the beginning of June. When we looked at the place we were happy with condition it was in, as the paint seemed new and in good condition. On moving in we noticed that there was some old, chipping paint in the window beds. Last week we had some unofficial testing done by a local lead abatement company. We had done the same thing in our previous apartment, and gotten back borderline levels. We got the results for our new apartment back yesterday and the levels are very high, as in 10-50 times the acceptable limit. The soil in the backyard tests at 4x the limit.

My understanding of CT state law is that if we have an official inspection done and their findings match ours, the landlords are responsible for the lead abatement. My wife spoke to an inspector from the New Haven DPH, who confirmed this, but could not give us much guidance as to how long, difficult or expensive the abatement process might be. We brought this all up with our landlords and they expressed a desire to not go through official channels and maybe have some cleanup done off the record. Our landlords are an older couple who are very sweet and well intentioned, but we don't really trust their ability to deal with the cleanup on their own.

The way I see it, our options are either to get an official inspection and start the process of getting the lead cleaned up, or to move out and find somewhere else to live. Since we would need to vacate at least ourselves and maybe our stuff during the abatement process, and going the official route wouldn't put us on good terms with the landlords, we're currently inclined to go the "move out" route.

This would involve breaking our lease which lasts for another 10 months. Our landlords are not particularly computer savvy, so they have asked if we would do the work of listing and showing the place, which is fine. Our main concern is that if we can't find someone to move in by the time we move out that they will try to hold us responsible for the rent. We would like to get something in writing from them officially breaking the lease.

So the question is, is this a situation where we need a lawyer? If we destroy both copies of the lease, is that good enough? Are there other factors or options that we haven't thought of?

Just as a note, today was our daughter's 18 month checkup and we had her blood tested. We should know the results early next week, but since we've been here such a short time I expect that every thing is ok. Also, when we look at new apartments, we plan on testing before we sign a lease.

lead in the water

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:27:12 -0800

So I just got my water tested, and the lead level was about 43 parts per billion. Should I be concerned? I had the tap water tested at my house, and the result was that they found 42.9 parts per billion, which is much higher than the EPA action level (15ppb). I'm going to get some quotes on replacing the lead water pipe from the street (which I think is the source), but should I be immediately concerned?

Why can't I quit her? My head says NO but my heart says GO. please HELP!

anonymous35 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 19:42:49 -0800

Why can't I quit her? My head says NO but my heart says GO. please HELP! Some pretext before you start reading: I'm a pretty conservative guy. I've only had one serious relationship in the past (for one year and it ended badly when I started attending college). The prospect of one-night stands aren't that appealing to me. In the four years I attended undergrad, I've had opportunities to 'hook up' with girls but decided to pass if there wasn't a prospective of a relationship. In short, I was always looking for that special connection with someone. I never found it throughout college (in part because I wasn't actively looking; instead I sacrificed the latter two years of my social life for academics). Things changed recently with a person I never ever thought of as a potential girlfriend.

Here are the details:

I'm 23, recently graduated and work full time. She's 20, and will be a rising junior at the school I graduated from. We are both from the same hometown but school separates us 100 miles apart during the semester.

We met through a mutual friend, actually her ex-boyfriend (and only bf) of two years. I consider him a good friend and while the two were dating, it NEVER crossed my mind that I could see her as a potential girlfriend. However, they had a falling out as soon as she left for her freshman year (my senior year); they don't speak to each other anymore, I don't speak to him at all anymore, (and he has moved four states over).

Things started heating up this past winter when she came back from school and I had time off from work. We hung out on a daily basis, and although there was nothing intimate, there was a special bond forming between us. Daily hugs were long and drawn out, we would hold hands and cuddle on the couch for movies. After she left to go back for school, I thought that would be the end of communication, but she constantly texted me, which would follow up with me calling her every two or three days. I would never call her on the weekend out of respect for her space and allowing her to 'enjoy the social college scene'. Plus, I didn't want to be a burden if I called everyday. Conversations would be filled with nothing and everything, and for the first time in a long time, I finally felt that special connection. We flirted through text and I talked about going to visit her. However, things reached a boiling point when I mentioned the idea of visiting her for valentine's day, in which she abruptly told me that the flirting had to stop. She said she wasn't ready for a relationship, wanted to explore her options with other guys but wanted us to stay amicable and be 'friends'. Yes, the dreaded F word. Caught in the moment, and in an act of desperation, I told her everything that was on my mind and how I felt about her, how it was only the beginning of something special, and how I didn't want to lose that. It culminated into me running out of words to say and us deciding to take a break from talking to let things cool.

Fast forward two weeks later (late Feb). I caved. I texted her a simple, 'how are you doing', and this vicious cycle continued again. Flirting. Laughing. Long passionate hugs and holding hands. Pretending everything was the same again before that 'talk'. She would now start sending emails to me at work. I visited her a few times, with the first time slept over (but on her couch), and most recently (about a month ago) slept over with her. However, things did not get intimate, and I did not want to bring up the issue in an effort to avoid that awkwardness. Note: a main reason why I am attracted to her is that she is very conservative and although we didn't get intimate, I definitely felt it was progress from both sides.

Two weeks ago, I went back to school for a big concert and she knew I would be in town, however, not a single call or text Fri or Sat. I gave her a call and we met up for a picnic Sun. Things were going smoothly until I dropped her off, and in a jokingly way said 'hey, you never called me the last few days'. She shrugged it off and said 'you know we are really good friends. You have your friends at home and I have mine at school'. We left things at that
and there have been one or two texts between us the last two weeks. I've tried to give her space by not calling her at all, especially since final exams are this week. But in the last few days, I feel like salt is being poured on my open heart wound - on her facebook, she's been flirting with a new guy non-stop whom she met through her best friend at school.

I have not said or mentioned a single word to her about this new guy, nor have I called her in almost two weeks. However, in the past five months, if there was a lull in the communication I would call her and things would be 'back to normal' and have escalated progressively each time. This is where my ambivalence sets in - I can't help to think that if I cut her off completely, then I would lose out on the opportunity. The only reason I am seriously contemplating contacting her is that I just don't want to look back and regret not doing enough at the time.

Perhaps in the back of my mind, I keep thinking that something 'great' would eventually develop out of this 'not so much friends, yet not gf/bf' relationship. However, it has become too taxing on my heart, with all the rollercoaster up and downs associated with it. I feel like I am perpetually trying to catch that prized fish, I know exactly where it is, keep dipping in the water, but only get nibs back. If I continue to try, will I eventually catch it?
I told myself I would never want to be the guy that would do all the chasing, and in order for a relationship to work, both sides would have to put in equal weight. In some aspects this hurts more than my first (and only) serious relationship post-break up. For my first relationship, the timing was right but the connection (looking back now) wasn't that great. Now, in my current situation, the connection is off the charts, but the timing is a little off. I am extremely attracted to her physically but can't see us being only friends.

I'm stuck in a rut now and I don't know which way to turn. The past year since my graduation has been a downward spiral. I had a great paying job with a career path set up, but was laid off due to the economy two months into 'the real world'. Returned back home and found another job, live at home, and give half my paycheck to my folks to help out with the mortgage because my father lost his job as well. The opportunities to meet women are bleak, since the demographics within the new company are middle-aged and with families.

So which way do I turn? Run for the hills and cut her off (something I don't think I am ready for yet), or continue to keep it casual (even though it burns like hell to find out about this new guy)? I am still (foolishly perhaps) holding onto the hope that when she gets back home for the summer, we would have more time together as she wouldn't be bogged down with schoolwork and the distance.

I sincerely appreciate any advice you guys have. Thanks for listening (and reading).

Unleaded or Regular?

Funmonkey1 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:48:09 -0800

[MythFilter]: Grandmothers always say never buy a dented can from the supermarket. Is there any truth to this today? From faint memory, I recall people were not supposed to buy dented cans as there was lead which could be ingested, however I am not sure if this was baloney or part of the myth.

What are the origins and does a dent in the can matter today?

Living in a toxic waste dump

nax — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:05:08 -0800

Asking for a friend. She got her soil tested and the lead levels are at a toxic, and in fact, illegal level. It's a rental, and the whole building was planning a community garden in the yard. Now they're not so sure. Here's the details:

Total Lead: 1317 ppm (HIGH)

Here’s what the documents provided by the UMass-Amherst Soil Testing Lab had to say about lead levels:

* Normal range is 15-40ppm
* Values above 300ppm are potentially dangerous to people
* Total lead levels higher than 1000ppm are LEGALLY HAZARDOUS

So the yard behind the apartment building is a hazardous waste site. What should they do about this?

Who should they tell? City, Landlord, other tenants, neighbors with small kids?

What should be done with the soil in the backyard?

* Options: Truck it away to a hazardous waste site; Leave the soil in place but cover it with purchased topsoil (There was a topsoil/compost delivery scheduled, but if the backyard soil should be removed then piling clean soil on top of it would not be helpful); Abandon all plans of gardening there; Plant only decorative plants and wear gloves when working with soil; Ignore the problem and plant vegetables there anyway.

Can my liver protect me from a lead bullet?

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 20:03:48 -0800

YANMD...Can my liver handle lead? I had an accident with a firearm and now there's a bullet in my leg.

It's a .22 caliber copper jacketed lead hollow point.

The doc who checked me out in the ER said that it's not in a bad place for removing, but it's still safer to leave the bullet rather than take it out. It's sitting right in front of my femur.

I asked the doc about the lead in the bullet, and he said that any lead that goes into my system from the bullet will be taken care of by my liver.

Can my liver really handle lead? The bullet is deformed, and I'm worried about the lead.

How fast does the body eliminate lead?

lgyre — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:54:47 -0800

My baby recently tested quite high (but not at an emergency level) for lead. He had two tests in a row, so we're pretty sure they're correct. We've got all kinds of information on eliminating lead and we're doing everything we can, but we'd like to make a plan about assessing his progress and considering more serious steps like moving if it's not great. Does anyone know how fast one can expect blood levels to drop after removing the source of exposure?

Help me become a (real) Guitar Hero

davey_darling — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:20:52 -0800

What do I need to be doing in order to transition from being a strictly open chords style guitar player to a lead/riff oriented player? I have been playing the guitar for about 12 years now. Throughout this time, I have rarely ventured past the acoustic open chord type stuff. I began playing the guitar to accompany myself when singing. I've played tons of open mics/shows with bands/innumerable campfires and house parties. I really think that being a decent singer has taken away the impetus to improve my lead technique.

Now I'm in a situation where being able to play some more advanced lead stuff would really open up some possibilities as far as playing out. A good friend is a drummer, and we have been playing with a few bassists. We're doing fine, but it'd be nice to strap on an electric guitar for a lot of the music we'd like to do (my dreaming of rock stardom days are long past - I'd be perfectly happy churning out music for folks to dance to at bars and weddings)

I need help with understanding the hows and whys of what to play when - I have fiddled around with some basic blues scales over the past decade, but nothing has really stuck.

Would switching to a straight electric guitar approach help me get the sound and feel that would move me along to mastering some lead technique?

Is there a canonical band or style of music that I should start learning that will set me down the right path?

My hands are reasonably agile - I can pick out random riffs all day long. I just need to know how to learn to know what to play and when to play it. A guitar teacher where I am right now is unfortunately not an option for me.

Any advice/personal stories/tips are welcome.

Will my juicer poison me?

one_bean — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:38:07 -0800

What's the likelihood that my new juicer has lead in it? I bought this juicer, and I'm somewhat concerned it might have lead in it. It's made in China and has a bright orange coat of enamel paint. Any way of knowing if it's lead-based? Can I get a "probably not"?

Help me lead with power in a figure 8

gergtreble — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 04:10:20 -0800

I am searching for a power cable similar to the 2-way "kettle lead" but with C7 (or figure 8) ends. Does such a cable exist? Ideally I would like it to be a 4-way cable i.e. one power plug to 4 figure 8 connectors, but I could live with just a 2-way. I'm in the UK but I suppose I could always switch the plug over should I find an American or European one.

How much lead can a person take?

brandnew — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 03:52:28 -0800

What's the chance that there's lead in my newly purchased Chinese-manufactured mugs? And, should I be worried? So, the other day I purchased some nice and inexpensive mugs from Target. But, now I'm slightly concerned about the level of lead in these mugs. I know from my recreational pottery classes that lead is often used in glazes to help with controlling the melting. And, with all of the recent news about lead in Chinese-manufactured toys, I'm now wondering about the lead content in these mugs.

First, what's the chance that these mugs actually have lead in the glaze. And, if there is lead, how much would I be ingesting along with my hot beverage? And, finally, how harmful is lead relative to other dangers that the average US consumer exposes themselves to daily?

Differing laptop power leads

edbyford — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 03:16:52 -0800

I have a laptop with a completely discharged battery, but no power lead. I do have a power lead from my other laptop, but the outputs differ slightly... The laptop power lead I have says its output is 20 volts, 3.25 amps.

The laptop I want to plug it into says it needs 19 volts, and 3.16 amps.

Will it work? Is it worth it?

lead lead everywhere

edjusted — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 11:30:56 -0800

California has a new law that specifies limits for lead in jewelry products. Even though the answer to my question should be a no-brainer, I need to confirm: In the text of the law, specifically section 3.2.2, it says that "Class 2" plated metals should be made of metal alloys that contain less than 10% lead by weight ("88 metal").

Then later in section 3.2.2.2 it talks about plastic or rubber materials needing to contain less than 0.06% (600 parts per million) lead.

Does that mean the 10% translates to 600,000 parts per million lead?

That is, if 0.06% = 600 PPM, then 10% should = 600,000 PPM. Correct? It just seems like a huge difference.

Why does China put lead in/on everything?

flowerofhighrank — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 20:43:12 -0800

what's so great about lead and why are Chinese companies using so much of it? is it because it's malleable or heavy or ?

Old Pipes

Juicylicious — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:01:26 -0800

Plugged Pipes - Is there a way to clean out the water pipes in my home without spending oodles of $s to replace them? I own an up/down duplex. The water pressure in the upstairs apartment is fine. The water pressure in the downstairs bathroom is horrible and getting worse by the day. It is so bad that I now have to hand fill the water tank for the toilet. The pressure in the sink and tub are getting progressively worse.

My handyman checked the pipe leading into the toilet and found it severely clogged. The pressure did not get better after cleaning. He has found a work around by putting in pipe from the sink to the toilet. It won't work long as the sink pressure is getting bad too.

I have majority old fashioned lead piping. It will costs thousand of dollars to replace with copper. Needless to say I don't have the cash to do it.

Are there any methods of flushing out the lead pipes?

Anyone well-versed in lead?

Arch1 — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 13:40:25 -0800

Received phone call from doctor that in course of 1 yr. checkup, child has elevated (but not immediate risk) lead levels. Advice/next steps? Our house was built in 1911 in downtown Minneapolis. We've repainted most rooms in our seven years there thusfar, but certainly there could be issues there, or in the dirt, or we could have a water issue. The .gov site seems to disclaim test kits as faulty... advice? Ready to install or do whatever's necessary.

Longer Dog Leash?

nancoix — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 08:36:26 -0800

Dog Leash Longer than 6 feet? Where can I find a nylon dog leash longer than the industry standard 6 ft (not a retractable type)? Ideally I'd like 8 ft, or possibly 9. Looking for online store recommendations.

Bands with more than one (good) lead singer

I_Love_Bananas — Sat, 31 Mar 2007 06:40:58 -0800

Mainstream bands with more than one (good) lead singer? Need help with a list of mainstream bands who had success with more than one equally capable lead singer all in the group at the same time.

Good examples: The Cars (Ocasek/Orr) and The Who (Daltrey/Townshend) had big hits from both guys.

Not good examples:
- Van Halen (lineup changes don't count)
- Queen (Mercury was front man but Taylor occasionally sang, i.e. "I'm in Love with My Car")
- 'Traveling Wilburys'-type aggregations of performers
- Obscure, indie or other groups who the "average person" would not recognize

I guess the more you have to justify/qualify/explain your response, it's probably not fitting the bill.

How normal is a terrible memory?

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 22:17:27 -0800

Bad memory makes me feel stupid. My memory is absolutely abyssmal...to the point where I worry about it and even get depressed. I often can't recall the plot of a movie I've seen a couple of years ago, and I only remember the name of one or two of all of the teachers I had in school (elementary through high school!). I struggle with learning new things, although I can memorize with a great deal of effort and repetition.

The interesting thing about this is that my siblings are extremely intelligent and successful. I've always felt that something was wrong with me, and that I am smart but there's a spot where my thinking doesn't work. It seems to have to do with the way I process information and store memories.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if it's just "normal" for some people to have such a horrible memory. I'm in my 30s and I don't have a history of substance abuse problems, head injury or anything like that.

My current doctor says he's quite sure that I don't have ADD. Sometimes I wonder if I might have even had heavy metal poisoning as a child. I did play with mercury once (around age 13?) and drank from a pewter goblet around age 15-16 (not knowing that pewter contains lead).

DIY lead paint removal for mortals

markhu — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 15:36:55 -0800

I need to strip many layers of paint out of my old house. Does anyone have any experience with the "new" (in America) infra-red heat-strippers? They seem like a good idea, but I'd feel more comfortable with a few recommendations from regular folks before spending $500. The two brands I'm aware of are the "Speedheater" system, and the "Silent Paint Remover." These 2 methods attract me since they don't kick up all the fumes/dust of heat-guns, gel-stripper, or sanders.

Or should I just give up and hire someone? I've done most of the [extensive] plumbing and electrical upgrades on this house myself, but for some reason paint seems a whole different ballgame

Save money or brain cells?

daisyace — Fri, 29 Sep 2006 13:38:58 -0800

We're about to have our house exterior repainted, and it will need sanding and grinding. Should we use a regular painter, or do we need a lead abatement specialist? We got the first of two quotes today, from a reputable, experienced painter. The house is ~100 years old, with clapboard siding, so there's probably lead paint somewhere in the layers. The painter seemed unperturbed, and I get the feeling that most people handle situations like this as routine painting jobs. Is that because lead poisoning isn't at all likely, or are all those people foolhardy?

I've heard that a lead abatement specialist would be extremely expensive. We don't have kids and neither do the neighbors on either side.

plumb dumb housing aplomb

mds35 — Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:30:11 -0800

De-leaded Apartments in Boston: What's the Scoop? We're moving to Boston at the end of February. This is our first apartment search since we've become parents and now we have the added hassle of finding an apartment that has been de-leaded. It was never a concern before because neither of us eat paint chips or chew on windowsills, but we have to look out for our little guy now.

We'd like to find a 2 or 3 bedroom apartment in Jamaica Plain or Brookline, preferrably in an old 2- or 3-family house. Judging by the what we're seeing on Craigslist, the lead-free pickings may be slim.

So here are my questions:

1) Any tips for finding de-leaded apts in Boston?

2) Is there a law requiring landlords to lease only "certified" de-leaded apts to families with infants?

3) Are we gonna have to settle for an ugly charmless apartment in a new building?

4) Are there de-leaded apartments that not certified but that are are nonetheless lead-free enough for us to occupy without hurting my kid's chances at someday getting into Harvard?

Metal, dude. Heavy metal.

Kickstart70 — Fri, 26 Aug 2005 08:40:14 -0800

Is heavy metal blood testing worth doing? I've often wondered how my foolish youth continuines to affect me health-wise. From chewing on lead action figures bought at the Fall Fair, to playing with stolen mercury in high school, to living in cheap old houses with who-knows-what in the paint, I could be a cesspool of toxic elements.

I don't have symtoms I'd guarantee are related to heavy metal poisoning. I do have a poor memory (I always seem to have a lot going on and things fall between the cracks), skin rashes (mild guttate psoriasis and extremely dry skin on my face) and very often feel tired and drained (I'm overweight and spend much more time on the computer than I should...though one could be the result of the other).

As well, I don't know what they'd do for me even if a test DID find mercury or lead in my system at elevated levels, or if I can just treat myself a little better and drink more fluids and basically follow what they might prescribe anyway. Or is there some more comprehesive anti-metal treatment?

For what it's worth, I'm in Canada, so the test -might- be paid for by my taxes and user fees, if I convinced a doctor this was worth doing and the test wasn't inordinately expensive to the gov't. If not, and I thought it was worth doing, and it wasn't extremely expensive, I could travel across the border to the U.S. to get it done.

What say you? Thanks!

Leaded or Unleaded?

OmieWise — Thu, 30 Jun 2005 08:20:39 -0800

Lead-GlazeFilter: I just bought a nice bowl at a Japanese market. It was made in Japan. Is there lead in the glaze? Is it safe to eat from? If it had been made in China, what then? Is this an issue of individual bowls or of country regulations? I know in the US there are laws against lead leaching glazes.