What is lead?
Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the earths crust. Lead can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of it comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining, and manufacturing. Lead has many different uses. It is used in the production of batteries, ammunition, metal products (solder and pipes), and devices to shield X-rays. Because of health concerns, lead from paints and ceramic products, caulking, and pipe solder has been dramatically reduced in recent years. The use of lead as an additive to gasoline was banned in 1996 in the United States.
Lead is a heavy metal. It was used in many materials and products before the risk to young children was known. Certain products such as paints used in older houses before 1978, lead solder used in plumbing, and leaded gasoline were used before their harmful health effects were recognized. Although laws now prevent lead from being used in many products, there can still be lead hazards in and around many homes. Lead can get into the air, water, food, soil, and even dust and then can be breathed or swallowed leading to serious health problems, especially for young children. Lead is a toxin (poison) that can harm young children. Children 6 years old and under are most at risk because their bodies are still developing. A young child’s exposure to lead can cause learning and behavioral problems and possibly damage their brains, kidneys, and other organs. Lead enters the body when children breathe lead dust or lead fumes, or swallow something with lead in it. Young children often put things i
Lead is the skeletal structure of your leaded glass panel. Glass is cut by hand to the desired shape and fitted into a piece of metal called “came” of various shapes and sizes. This is a picture of “H” came (looks like an I– beam) which accepts glass in the slots on either side. We use zinc, which is stiff like aluminium, to frame our panels. It is called “U” and fits on the outer edge of a glass panel, creating the frame. For most applications, the face is ½” and the thickness on the outer edge is ¼”. It is also available in ¼” and 3/8″ face widths.
