I learned something new today about lead!

[Rei]

Once again, my compulsion to research random things during procrastination has allowed me to learn something highly useful, but will not help my in my coming exam.

So here's the story.
My mother recently bought me a pair of shot glasses.
When she delivered them to me (I'm at dorm cramming), I noticed a sticker on it indicating that there is a 5% lead oxide content (by weight). Here I am thinking, "Wait... isn't lead toxic?"

I thought that maybe it was safe in certain extremely stable compounds. I assumed it was put into the glass to make it nicer (because by god, they're nice glasses).

So always on the safe side, I researched it. I found out about lead glass (or lead crystal). Pretty because the lead oxide raises the IR index of the glass, but essentially the lead 'leaks', and it's still toxic. Especially when in contact with acidic substances.

I don't know what I'm going to do about the cups, but I sure learned to check for lead oxide content the next time I buy crystal...

_______________________________________________

What have YOU learned on a random research quest lately?

[deicruxified]

they banned a lot of baby toys and teethers made from china because of lead content. not only just toys but a lot of foods and candies from china because of formaline content.

[Drayakir]

Well, then your best bet is not to drink acid out of them. You should be safe if you don't.
= )

[rwyatt365]

Well, then your best bet is not to drink acid out of them. You should be safe if you don't.
= )
...or soda pop, or champagne, or orange juice, or...

Don't worry Rei, you'll only lose a few neurons, it won't hurt.

[banzai]

Well, then your best bet is not to drink acid out of them. You should be safe if you don't.
= )

Exactly... just make sure to drink your acid out of a plastic cup or mug. Lexan would probably work too. :thumbsup:

[Duncan Cade]

Or you could always use your own hip-flacon! You might appear a bit paranoid with that tho...

[BlackHawk]

Letsee . . .
Most Recent Random Research Quest:
That would most likely be the current one on MBTI, Jungian pshychology, etc.
(at least, that's the most significant . . .)

[rasoirviolon]

hmm newest "obsession" would be nanotechnology. more specifically: nanobioelectronic system that controls enzymatic activity

[rocksteady]

It's like I always say, "When in Rome, drink from lead cups"

I also have a nasty habit of throughly researching anything that strikes my fancy

[Rei]

It's like I always say, "When in Rome, drink from lead cups"

I also have a nasty habit of throughly researching anything that strikes my fancy

LOL! good one.

Anyone else find Wikipedia a black hole you never really seem to be able to climb out of?

[Circe]

The random article button eats up hours of my life. . .

[Rei]

The random article button eats up hours of my life. . .

OH NO!!!!
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT THAT! :scared:

[The Rose]

I don't know a whole lot about crystal, but I have learned one thing over the years. The value of crystal is actually measured by the percentage of lead in it. The more lead it has, the more expensive it is. A lot of times, right on the box, it will tell you the percentage of lead in the crystal trinket you are considering purchasing. You get good money for stuff like that at yard sales.

[Rei]

I don't know a whole lot about crystal, but I have learned one thing over the years. The value of crystal is actually measured by the percentage of lead in it. The more lead it has, the more expensive it is. A lot of times, right on the box, it will tell you the percentage of lead in the crystal trinket you are considering purchasing. You get good money for stuff like that at yard sales.

Yeah I read about that too... I think 12% is supposed to be the make up for real lead glass.

Like I said, it's a really REALLY nice glass, but what's the use of a crystal cup if I can't drink with it?
I'm not about to stick it on display so I'll have to wipe dust from it every day to keep it pretty.

[ShaiGar]

What is worse, is Wikipedia and tabbed browsing.

[Rei]

What is worse, is Wikipedia and tabbed browsing.

I can relate.
I've had so many tabs open in one window that I couldn't even see my first tab anymore...

[The Rose]

Yeah I read about that too... I think 12% is supposed to be the make up for real lead glass.

Like I said, it's a really REALLY nice glass, but what's the use of a crystal cup if I can't drink with it?
I'm not about to stick it on display so I'll have to wipe dust from it every day to keep it pretty.You're right. You shouldn't drink from it on a regular basis.
I'm like you; I wouldn't keep it around just so it could collect dust.

[Nomad]

I can relate.
I've had so many tabs open in one window that I couldn't even see my first tab anymore...

I have a first tab here somewhere? I think the other tabs are starting a religion based on the mythical original Open Window.

-Nomad

[Hypomanic]

Oh man lead is crystal? That's so messed up..

[Paul V]

In the ANSIR site that danalaina posted, I ran into a rather interesting test, which involved describing certain daily objects and situations and then discovering what they actually meant.

[Rei]

Oh man lead is crystal? That's so messed up..

Yeah... might want to be careful of the crystal jewelery you by too... :blank:

In the ANSIR site that danalaina posted, I ran into a rather interesting test, which involved describing certain daily objects and situations and then discovering what they actually meant.

Where is that?

[banzai]

Oh man lead is crystal? That's so messed up..

Yeah that is fucked up. Lead is supposed to be opaque and ugly.

That's like something I would have nightmares about... me, dancing and merrymaking with my crystal friends (who are quite pure and clear), but then as we hold hands and dance in a circle, some sort of toxic compound comes off them onto my hands... then they all hug me and I can't stop them, and I'm being covered by this ugly, dirty poison coming from something that appears to be clean, it's just wrong! :scared:

[thegnat]

Yeah that is fucked up. Lead is supposed to be opaque and ugly.

That's like something I would have nightmares about... me, dancing and merrymaking with my crystal friends (who are quite pure and clear), but then as we hold hands and dance in a circle, some sort of toxic compound comes off them onto my hands... then they all hug me and I can't stop them, and I'm being covered by this ugly, dirty poison coming from something that appears to be clean, it's just wrong! :scared:

It's not like it *is* the glass. The glass has other stuff in it that make up the majority of it. Plus, a lot of things have crystalline structure. Not always clear and purty. Lead oxides *do* have crystalline structure. And glass isn't crystalline. Nor is lead crystal (which is a form of lead glass). Lead raises the RI (refractive index -Not- IR which is infrared spectroscopy) of the glass and also makes it easier to work with because it decreases the viscosity. Glass is primarily a liquid so its RI can be measured. At least in organic they'd always tell us if it's a liquid to characterize it by its RI. Increasing its RI will make the glass shinier. That's essentially what the lead does for the glass. It's pretty much meant to sit around and look pretty.

[Rei]

It's not like it *is* the glass. The glass has other stuff in it that make up the majority of it. Plus, a lot of things have crystalline structure. Not always clear and purty. Lead oxides *do* have crystalline structure. And glass isn't crystalline. Nor is lead crystal (which is a form of lead glass). Lead raises the RI (refractive index -Not- IR which is infrared spectroscopy) of the glass and also makes it easier to work with because it decreases the viscosity. Glass is primarily a liquid so its RI can be measured. At least in organic they'd always tell us if it's a liquid to characterize it by its RI. Increasing its RI will make the glass shinier. That's essentially what the lead does for the glass. It's pretty much meant to sit around and look pretty.

Thanks for the correction ><'... typo

But yeah... 5% is probably not too huge a problem. Crystal with 12%-24% lead oxide content most likely wouldn't be used for things involving food/drink consumption... I hope.

Apparently RI can now be increased with certain methods minus the lead oxide content now. Doesn't stop me from wanting to check the lead content in my wine glasses though.

Stem Ware (To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.)

[yondyr]

and stewed tomatoes stored in aluminum... life is hazardous...

[PortInStorm]

...or soda pop, or champagne, or orange juice, or...

Don't worry Rei, you'll only lose a few neurons, it won't hurt.
Yes, but depending on what neurons you lost, would you know if it "hurt"?;)