Soap to remove lead from hands

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Sad Prospector

New Member
#1
I have heard that there are special soap products that are available that are better at removing lead from hands when washing. How do these products work? Are they more effective that regular soap?
 
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chrisrich

New Member
#4
I don't know what brand to recommend myself but have a look at D-lead. It's the first thing that comes up on a Google search for lead soap.

Be sure to look at what's in these sorts of soap though....granted lead poisoning is deadly but these days you sure want to know what you're body is soaking up from industrial soaps like this.
 
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odin66669

New Member
#6
Isn't dangerous to manipulate lead with your bare hands, we use always latex gloves to avoid as much as possible to contact with lead, you will be surprised of how fast your blood level gets to 30 ug/dl if you don't use proper protection
 
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DrCraner

New Member
#7
Removal of Inorganic Lead from Skin

There are a number of posts on this topic. Assuming we are concerned with litharge (lead oxide) and not other forms of lead, the main questions are:
(1) Can, and to what extent, does Lead get absorbed directly through the skin?
(2) What is the most effective means of removal of lead from the hands or other contaminated skin?

(1) Although most occupational medicine texts describe inorganic lead absorption via skin as negligible compared to inhalation or ingestion, there is actually very little research on this subject. Most of the experimental research has been done with lead salts (e.g., lead nitrate) which is not relevant to litharge. Experiments performed on laboratory animals are unreliable in extrapolating to human occupational exposures (and are also inhumane). What is well established, however, is that lead contamination on skin (mostly hands) significantly increases the risk of secondary ingestion or inhalation when food, beverages, or cigarettes are consumed. Basic handwashing with soap and water has been shown to be relatively effective at reducing such exposures.

(2) The question of whether a chelating agent (i.e., one that chemically binds metals) or proprietary soap/detergent product such as D-Lead(R) is more effective than ordinary hand soap or standard industrial hand cleaner. The latter contain various ingredients to assist in the mechanical removal of contaminants from the outer layer of the skin. This important industrial hygiene and occupational medicine questions has not received the research attention it deserves. Esca Tech, Inc., the manufacturer of D-Lead, cites one published article from 1997 on its web site. The study was limited in scope and did not utilize a reliable set of control subjects or measure effects over time.

These are important questions for people employed in the fire assay and related precious metals industry. I plan to conduct further research on these two related questions and will post a more detailed response in the near future. Please continue to post your own thoughts and experiences on this topic.
 
fireguy

fireguy

Supermoderator
#8
odin66669 said:
Isn't dangerous to manipulate lead with your bare hands, we use always latex gloves to avoid as much as possible to contact with lead, you will be surprised of how fast your blood level gets to 30 ug/dl if you don't use proper protection
I don't think anyone is suggesting manipulating lead/litharge with your bare hands. Even if wearing the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) like gloves, aprons or jackets, respirators, etc. you still need to have adequate and rigorous hygiene practices- such as washing your hands, showering, changing clothes, etc.

Having the advice and assistance of a qualified industrial medical physician is of great benefit as the mandated protocols are complex and specific if you are going to be in compliance with OSHA regulations.
 
Aerogrudge

Aerogrudge

New Member
#9
I do know litharge is water soluble and should not be handled with bare hands, used cupels and such or anything of this nature. Raw lead isn't probably as dangerous but should be controlled and use caution when handling.
 
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