How can I test Chinese glass for lead?
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Burt
Well-Known Member
I remember reading that it's only a worry if liquid is stored for long periods in leaded glass before drinking. If you're bubbling vapour through fresh water, I don't think it's possible to imbibe lead in appreciable quantities.
That said, and while I can't help with a precise test, it would be pretty easy to figure the density of your piece (e.g. its weight divided by the volume of water it displaces when fully submerged), and compare the result with googlable charts showing the density of various types of glass.
Sounds like fun, hope you figure something out!
That said, and while I can't help with a precise test, it would be pretty easy to figure the density of your piece (e.g. its weight divided by the volume of water it displaces when fully submerged), and compare the result with googlable charts showing the density of various types of glass.
Sounds like fun, hope you figure something out!
strictly vapor
Well-Known Member
Is lead present in all Chinese glass or just some? Perhaps only colored pieces? I've always been skeptical of my Chinese hydratube even though it works great for me. Hmmmm
For me the worry is more around heat degrading or extracting impurities from the cheap glass.
For me the worry is more around heat degrading or extracting impurities from the cheap glass.
The piece is painted. Also, water sitting in the piece could soak with the colored glass parts and transfer lead particles.
I did some research today, I may try to send it to a lab for XRF testing. Better safe than sorry just to see. I thought about also just doing a simple swab test at homedepot.
MoltenTiger
Well-Known Member
Use some acetone to try and dissolve colour away. If you are successful, throw the piece away. If the glass is coloured not painted, it should merely clean it and then it's all good.
Paint won't necessarily mean lead, but is undesirable nonetheless.
A lead painted rig isn't as bad as it sounds too, it's just important to avoid cross contamination with food or other items. It won't vaporize off the piece, it shouldn't absorb through skin. As long as you wash your hands after handling it, it's fine. If the paint is internal or is a part of the vapour path, it's not innately dangerous but it is even less desirable.
For the most part, lead risk from china glass is overblown. Glass itself isn't healthy if you eat it, but that's a very uncommon practice. Lead boils at over 2000 K, don't believe the hype
Paint won't necessarily mean lead, but is undesirable nonetheless.
A lead painted rig isn't as bad as it sounds too, it's just important to avoid cross contamination with food or other items. It won't vaporize off the piece, it shouldn't absorb through skin. As long as you wash your hands after handling it, it's fine. If the paint is internal or is a part of the vapour path, it's not innately dangerous but it is even less desirable.
For the most part, lead risk from china glass is overblown. Glass itself isn't healthy if you eat it, but that's a very uncommon practice. Lead boils at over 2000 K, don't believe the hype
Dabberhashery
electrobubblerizer
This topic recently came up in the cheap quality bubbler thread and a lot of the examples provided used the lead testing kits like 3M http://leadcheck.com
From what I understand, lead in the glass itself is unlikely as that is more expensive and usually used more in ornamental cut glass/fake crystal pieces
From what I understand, lead in the glass itself is unlikely as that is more expensive and usually used more in ornamental cut glass/fake crystal pieces
UnidenWallet
Well-Known Member
A little pricey at $5/test but they sell swabs on Amazon. You rub this on the painted part of the glass, as lead paint is the most common form of lead found in chinese glass.
https://www.amazon.com/LeadCheck-LC-2SDC-Disposable-Non-Staining-Detection/dp/B009NQNL0I
https://www.amazon.com/LeadCheck-LC-2SDC-Disposable-Non-Staining-Detection/dp/B009NQNL0I
djurodjakovic
Well-Known Member
I found this thread and now I'm a little worried.
Just to be sure I understand correctly. If I use only clear glass from china there is no chance of having lead (or some other nasty) inside?
I have a few small pieces of various glass adapters and hydra foot from sunshinestore. all clear glass.
Just to be sure I understand correctly. If I use only clear glass from china there is no chance of having lead (or some other nasty) inside?
I have a few small pieces of various glass adapters and hydra foot from sunshinestore. all clear glass.
MoltenTiger
Well-Known Member
Clear glass should be safe, especially once it is cleaned.
About the worst you could expect is that it's soda-lime not borosilicate, but even that is less likely these days
djurodjakovic
Well-Known Member
what is this soda lime? first time heard of this.
I thought that at least stuff from sunshinestore is safe which is the most important thing for me. Now I'm paranoid :-(.
is water and 70% alcohol enough to clean new pieces or you have something else you do?
I thought that at least stuff from sunshinestore is safe which is the most important thing for me. Now I'm paranoid :-(.
is water and 70% alcohol enough to clean new pieces or you have something else you do?
MoltenTiger
Well-Known Member
I'm a fan of PBW for cleaning, though strong alcohol is also decent.
Soda-lime is just a common type of glass composition, unlike borosilicate it is liable to thermal shock and can shatter from being cooled or heated too quickly. Borosilicate is used in scientific glassware as it has much lower coefficients of thermal expansion and so is more resilient to thermal shock. Additionally it is much harder than soda-lime, so it is harder to scratch.
There's no risk of danger using soda-lime (apart from breakage and cuts), but a proper borosilicate piece is superior aesthetically and functionally.
Most of the bigger Chinese suppliers use borosilicate these days.
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djurodjakovic
Well-Known Member
thanks for info.
I know about borosilicate. I thought that this soda stuff is something dangerous for health. I don't care if it breaks easier. I just want it to be safe.
there is no PBW where I live, I already searched for it, and if I order online it gets to expensive. I use tap and destilled water and 70% ethyl alcohol to clean my pieces. once in two weeks usualy.
I know about borosilicate. I thought that this soda stuff is something dangerous for health. I don't care if it breaks easier. I just want it to be safe.
there is no PBW where I live, I already searched for it, and if I order online it gets to expensive. I use tap and destilled water and 70% ethyl alcohol to clean my pieces. once in two weeks usualy.
t-dub
Vapor Sloth
ok . . . you can make a PBW substitute with two ingredients.
First is Oxyclean. Get some or a similar oxygen based cleaner and you are half way there.
The second half of the PBW experience is tri-sodium phosphate substitute, AKA sodium meta-silicate.
TSP may be more available in your area, either one will work.