+Star*Hopper Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Was just watching a news segment about most of the parts/products with vinyl coming from China containing a hazardous (lead-based) 'stabilizer'. Much was made of the many recent experiences with health-hazards from that country. Got me to wondering.... Given their rep for using lead-containing paints, has anyone bothered to have the Geocoins that are made there, analyzed? Or (remembering the loads of kids' jewelry that was recalled), the alloy makeup, for that matter?? ~* Quote Link to comment
Keystone Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I am moving this thread from the Geocaching Topics forum to the Geocoin Discussions forum. Quote Link to comment
+scavok Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) It is known that a number of the coins contain lead (specifically some of the hard enamels). Not much we can do about it I guess, unless we all want to pay $20 a coin. Cheaper and easier to just not put any geocoins in our mouths IMHO Just an edit to add that most plated coins are plated over bronze. Bronze is an alloy metal that (unless its an alloy meant for machining rather than die-pressing) contains lead to soften it up. Thats the way it is here in the states too, just the nature of that particular metal. Edited December 16, 2008 by scavok Quote Link to comment
+Lemon Fresh Dog Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I would be careful with geocoins and not consider them kid-friendly. They are also not edible (okay - "mostly" not edible). I'm actually ignorant on the effects of lead - however, I am assuming you would need to ingest or touch the products containing the lead in order to be harmed. If I keep the coin in their flips and/or don't over-handle them - then I assume I am safe. Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! (from the coins - I have many other dangers in my evil lair that are probably doing me in as I type this....) Quote Link to comment
+team_goobie Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I dunno, I think I'd be more concerned that the ammo can I'm hunting has been properly sanitized! Who knows what the toxicity of those things are, after all, if left unwashed. Blech! Quote Link to comment
+Renegade Knight Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 My parents taught me as a kid not to eat coins. Seems like it's still good advice. Quote Link to comment
+Boots... Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! hehehehehehehee!!! Sorry, my second grade humor is breaking through... Quote Link to comment
+Tahoein' Bunch Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) You mean there not a good source of Iron? I think the minute amount you may be exposed to would not harm anything. if you that worried get some Caching gloves, wash your hands on site with sanitizer or what not. We found a micro inside of drain cleanout, Not a dummy but the real cleanout from a TOY's R Us when I hit the car Imidiatly got the sanitizer. But we got the cache. I don't want my Hobby/game or whatever to make me or my family sick if in dought throw it out ( or just don't touch it.) Pretty easy. Edited December 16, 2008 by Tahoein' Bunch Quote Link to comment
+Belfrypotters Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! hehehehehehehee!!! Sorry, my second grade humor is breaking through... You're not the only one who snickered at that comment Back on topic, our Sundial Geocoin even came with a little hazardous warning label. Not for lead, but because of the hinged style that stands up, creating not only a functional sundial, but also the possiblilty of impalement. I can almost hear my mother saying "careful before you poke someone's eye out with that thing". We left the little warning sticker on the coin when we released it, for legal reasons, and for the humour. Quote Link to comment
+fairyhoney Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I know this has been discussed here before Quote Link to comment
+Unkle Fester Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! (from the coins - I have many other dangers in my evil lair that are probably doing me in as I type this....) Only if you're smoking them... Quote Link to comment
57chevy Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Very similar thread..... Lead in Geocoins Quote Link to comment
+Lemon Fresh Dog Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! (from the coins - I have many other dangers in my evil lair that are probably doing me in as I type this....) Only if you're smoking them... oh-oh..... it's been nice knowing everyone..... Quote Link to comment
+fairyhoney Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! (from the coins - I have many other dangers in my evil lair that are probably doing me in as I type this....) Only if you're smoking them... oh-oh..... it's been nice knowing everyone..... You mean that you found a way to smoke them OR is it that you have too many and there togetherness is forming that invisible cloud Quote Link to comment
+plumbrokeacres Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 I would be careful with geocoins and not consider them kid-friendly. They are also not edible (okay - "mostly" not edible).. Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! (from the coins - I have many other dangers in my evil lair that are probably doing me in as I type this....) I have the answer for everyone concerned about lead in their coins send them to me I will make sure they are disposed of properly Quote Link to comment
+Astro_D Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 If common sense and personal responsibility are used, there should be no worry about the minut lead content in a coin that, well, shouldn't be put in one's mouth to begin with. Quote Link to comment
+Eartha Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home. Quote Link to comment
+Ladybug Kids Posted December 16, 2008 Share Posted December 16, 2008 (edited) It is known that a number of the coins contain lead (specifically some of the hard enamels). Not much we can do about it I guess, unless we all want to pay $20 a coin. Cheaper and easier to just not put any geocoins in our mouths IMHO Just an edit to add that most plated coins are plated over bronze. Bronze is an alloy metal that (unless its an alloy meant for machining rather than die-pressing) contains lead to soften it up. Thats the way it is here in the states too, just the nature of that particular metal. The assay for the commercial bronze (also known as brass) alloy used by the Alaska Mint for the GeocacheAlaska! coins is 85% copper, 15% zinc. All Alaska Mint coins are solid metal...no plating (except for the gold relief). Edited December 16, 2008 by Ladybug Kids Quote Link to comment
+Star*Hopper Posted December 17, 2008 Author Share Posted December 17, 2008 Very similar thread..... Lead in Geocoins Good discussion - wasn't aware of that thread. Thanx Chevy! I'm kinda hazed on some pretty good pain drugs (legal of course)....and for some reason I was under impression you could ingest lead contaminant by handling, ie, absorbed thru skin....ergo, you don't necessarily have to 'put it in your mouth.' I think now I might've been thinking of mercury. The good, informative link to the 'Protect Your Family From Lead...' & thanx for that Eartha....got me back up to speed on effects & ingestion. Also -- got a pretty good guffaw from the 'poisonous cloud' comment too! Thanx for that. Now if I can just figure out what the '3 Stance Dance' is.....& should I do one........................... Hmmmm.....about time for another Hydrocodone! Bye bye, for a while!! "To sleep, perchance to dream..." ~* Quote Link to comment
+Okiebryan Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 MMMmmmmmm....Lortab.... Quote Link to comment
+WRITE SHOP ROBERT Posted December 17, 2008 Share Posted December 17, 2008 Hopefully, I haven't caused a poisonous, invisible cloud in my office that is slowly killing me! hehehehehehehee!!! Sorry, my second grade humor is breaking through... Mythbusters tried...You can't die from your own toxic cloud. Quote Link to comment
Mesa Mike Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 If you're the type who is squeamish about touching things that might possibly harbor some sort of ickyness, then I'd say that geocaching is not for you. Lead is all around you in many things. Don't eat it, and you'll be OK. Quote Link to comment
+Vater_Araignee Posted December 18, 2008 Share Posted December 18, 2008 I would have more fear from the soft paint on the McGarbage in the caches than I would from the lead in hard enamel. Quote Link to comment
+Landsharkz Posted December 19, 2008 Share Posted December 19, 2008 As much as we love the look, we have been advised by the mint that the highest lead content is in the antique pewter plating and they are advising that it isn't used for plating coins if we can at all avoid it. We can avoid it and so we do . Quote Link to comment
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