Are lead minis dangerous?

[buzz]

I've been working on a Web site that's a repository of informaiton on lead poisoning, which got me thinking. I have a fair number of old Grenadier and Ral Partha minis that I've never painted, and which I believe are lead (we're talking c.1982 here). Are they hazardous? Should I be concerned?

 

[Altalazar]

Well, you don't want to ingest any lead. I'm not sure of the exact dangers. One thing that is probably true is that if they are painted and then sealed, there is less danger - since the surface is covered and so there is less chance of lead flakes coming off. I wonder, though, what the exact dangers are. You certainly don't want to eat any of them...

 

[diaglo]

although, i love my minis. truth be told...lead is bad for you. visit my website:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/books/plpyc/chapter3.htm

 

[James Heard]

although, i love my minis. truth be told...lead is bad for you. visit my website:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/books/plpyc/chapter3.htm

So I should probably get rid of those M&M lead minis, and the giant lead banana-dragon miniature. Gotcha. Don't eat minis. What was that kids? Don't eat minis.

Seriously, you shouldn't eat any sort of minis. I think those swords and spears and horns would be a tip off.

 

[diaglo]

So I should probably get rid of those M&M lead minis, and the giant lead banana-dragon miniature. Gotcha. Don't eat minis. What was that kids? Don't eat minis.

Seriously, you shouldn't eat any sort of minis. I think those swords and spears and horns would be a tip off.

well, even adults...problem with the minis is Flashing. those little bits you scrape off end up somewhere.

same with those of us who smelted our own...yes, they sold kits back in the day to make your own minis. little bars of lead and away you went.

 

[Henry]

although, i love my minis. truth be told...lead is bad for you. visit my website:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/books/plpyc/chapter3.htm

With all of that going on, it's a wonder I'm not dead.

So, sucking on unpainted lead miniatures is right out, as is melting them down and getting shot with them.

Seriously, the most common precaution it seems, if you want to err on the side of caution, is to NOT eat during a game if you are going to be using your lead mini's, and remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. And don't assume that just because they are painted that they are safer.

Sound about right?

 

[buzz]

although, i love my minis. truth be told...lead is bad for you. visit my website:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/publications/books/plpyc/chapter3.htm

You work for the CDC?



Even though I never really use them, I'd kind of hate to part with my classic minis. Still, I'll probably be having kids in the next few years and, even painted and sealed, I wonder if it's a good idea to have them around at all. I guess it would be an excuse to buy new spiffy Reaper minis, though...

 

[Nifft]

If thrown with sufficient force, they can be dangerous. But so can dice.

Personally, I'm a huge fan of the new plastic minis, because I can drop stuff on them without giving my players heart attacks.

-- N, none too careful

 

[diaglo]

Sound about right?

yep, wash your hands just like your momma used to tell you. you don't know where that mini has been.

warm soap and water. dry them off with a clean towel.

care should be taken with the laundry. don't combine loads if you want to be real safe. so the stuff you wore to work on your minis and the towels you use to dry yourself...well use them for minis only.

 

[Altalazar]

With all of that going on, it's a wonder I'm not dead.

So, sucking on unpainted lead miniatures is right out, as is melting them down and getting shot with them.

Seriously, the most common precaution it seems, if you want to err on the side of caution, is to NOT eat during a game if you are going to be using your lead mini's, and remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling them. And don't assume that just because they are painted that they are safer.

Sound about right?

I always wash my hands after handling them, especially unpainted.
But I do bet that the painted ones are somewhat safer - less flaking if they are sealed. (Well, unless you use lead-based paint... ok, not bloody likely).