Given that Yours Truly finds lightheartedness rather indecorous, it is not at all surpising that we have chosen lead poisoning, or plumbism, to be the subject of our first official blog entry of this new era of so-called “social media”.
The stained glass craft is one of many activities that can expose you to lead. Aside from the obvious content in lead came, you will also typically find lead in solder (as you may know, 60/40 solder is 60 percent tin and 40 percent lead). When working with either of these two materials, you must wash your hands frequently, and never touch your hands to your mouth or eyes while working. This means neither eating nor smoking in the work area. In addition, working with old leaded glass windows can cause lead dust to become airborne and subsequently be inhaled. Proper airway protection must be worn when disturbing the lead in an old window or lampshade.
Lead poisoning can develop over the course of many years, and is a dangerous and terribly unpleasant affair. Symptoms include abdominal pain, confusion, headache, anemia, irritability, and in severe cases seizures, coma, and death.*
For more information: The National Institutes for Health provides excellent information about the symptoms and treatment of lead poisoning, and The Stained Glass Association of America has producted a DVD on lead safety.
Fairly Important Stained Glass News 