Hi Lauren,
Brass consist mainly of copper and zinc. It has a tiny proportion of lead to
aid manufacture (1.5 to 2 %). It can leach out slightly, but I don't think
you need to worry over much. Many lace-makers, who have been using brass
pins all their lives, live and have lived to a ripe old age. But it does
re-iterate the fact that one must not put pins in the mouth. Not only do the
enzymes of the saliva corrode the pins and can cause verdigris marks on your
lace it might lead to ingestion of the metals -besides the danger of
actually swallowing a pin-. Normal handling of brass pins ought not to cause
problems.
However, I tend to prefer stainless steel pins. Not because I worry about
the metals, but because stainless steel pins are stronger and less prone to
bending They also don't discolour like brass pins.
Happy lace making,
Joepie, from a very stormy East Sussex.
I am in need of opinions, please :-)
I make divider pins for use in Bobbin lace. Mainly they are brass pins
and some of them are silver plated. In the past I have bought piuns in
large numbers and used them freely. Yesterday I received a shipment, and
this time they are labeled with a warning that the pins contain lead and
therefore are not recommended for use by children. So my question...
How do you feel about pins with lead in them? Do you only pick up and
move the pins by holding to the decorative beds or turnings on them, or
do you7 lift and reposition your pins by holding the metal pin itself?
I am getting ready to return the pins, but I thought I would ask first!
Thank you.
Lauren Snyder
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