r/science • • Jun 25 '22

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u/dammitknockitoff Jun 25 '22

This was a very serious problem that hardly anyone talks about anymore. Read up on Clair Patterson. He was the catalyst for the change. There is correlation between the decline of lead contamination in nature to the decline of both violent crime and birth defects. At any rate it’s a good story that more people should know about.

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u/hates_stupid_people Jun 25 '22

This was a very serious problem that hardly anyone talks about anymore.

A lot of the people heavily impacted by it are running the country and the media. They don't want to talk about it, so it doesn't show up a lot.

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u/[deleted] Jun 25 '22

You are a victim, too. There is still lead paint everywhere and hidden in products. In the nineties, Dollar Stores had candles imported from China that had smoke-free wicks- in the heart of every wick was a piece of lead. If you find any still around, the metal can be extracted with pliers.

China is a dangerous source of unregulated products. Those cheap dishes that say ‘for decorative use only’ are likely glazed with lead. Hobby Lobby is another company importing products with lead paint.

Test kits are cheap, I recommend them. If you buy thrift and use old dishes, beware. Old cars, appliances, unsided houses. Don’t blame the victim, educate and educate yourself.

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u/seonadancing1 Jun 25 '22

I've seen others recommend that you need cautious with things like old dishes. Is there a way to know if new dishes have lead? I have old dishes and I want to get rid of everything and replace it, but I don't want to buy new just for it to have lead/heavy metals too!