My local glass guy...

[Malinda]

has lead poisioning! Big bummer! I went in today for a couple things and he was cleaning house seriously...I asked what was up because his place is normally like the rest of our workspaces (I'm sure), maybe worse because he's got so much stuff. Anyway, he said he got his lead levels tested again this year and they keep increasing and now the Dr said he needs to avoid the stuff for at least 6-9 months! Which he can't do having the business and all so he's getting a respirator and "cleaning house" because now he's expecing a visit from OSHA since it will be reported to them.

I feel bad for him, he's a super nice guy and I've not even known him a year. He gives me all kinds of deals too. Like today he gave me about 20 lengths of lead for $30! I didn't go in there for lead but I can't pass up a deal. I could hear his wife yelling at him "Larry....what are you doing", she was in Columbia actually but everytime I am there he gives me awesome deals and she yells at him for it lol.

And I got a sample set of GNA glass, like 15 pieces about 3x4 each for $5 I can make a cute little like quilt block panel or something with them. Then I got some oval chain in all three finishes for $4 total, I didn't open it up to measure it but it's alot especially for that price! Then I got what I really went in for....putty and a couple pieces of glass haha.
 

Anyway, hope my glass guy gets better....even with great prices I can't afford to go in and keep buying things he wants to get rid of. It's dangerous.....

[Judy K]

and adds up $$$$$$$


I am very sorry he is sick. I am glad he is taking it serious. I am not as careful as i should be but I wash my hands constantly .

[Malinda]

I always wear gloves, many per session actually but I never have used any kind of respirator or anything and I work with a window openbut no other ventilation

[Wayne]

Why would you wear a respirator when working with lead?  A respirator would certainly help when cutting glass so that the glass dust is not taken in and when working with flux.

[Rebecca]

You wear breathing protection if you are tearing apart an old panel to repair or cleaning old lead.  Old windows often have lead in the putty, too, so taking one apart and scraping the putty out of the lead can allow dust with lead in it to be inhaled or ingested.  And after you have done that, there is lead dust all over the shop.

Rebecca

[Wayne]

You wear breathing protection if you are tearing apart an old panel to repair or cleaning old lead.  Old windows often have lead in the putty, too, so taking one apart and scraping the putty out of the lead can allow dust with lead in it to be inhaled or ingested.  And after you have done that, there is lead dust all over the shop.

Rebecca

Yes, that is true  but I am talking about new lead work and the mask.

[Malinda]

You wear breathing protection if you are tearing apart an old panel to repair or cleaning old lead.  Old windows often have lead in the putty, too, so taking one apart and scraping the putty out of the lead can allow dust with lead in it to be inhaled or ingested.  And after you have done that, there is lead dust all over the shop.
Rebecca

That is exactly what he had been doing Rebecca. He also told me he did/does his work in the basement and there is no ventilation down there...

[Judy K]

Mask is a good idea for painting too and probably powdered frit