Why would an extension cord contain lead? 2

[jmbelectrical]

So, I just purchased a 100 foot extension cord and was shocked to see that its packing had the California Proposition 65 warning label regarding lead content. It advised that you wash your hands immediately after handling the cord. The cord obviously doesn't contain solder, so where would lead be used and why? How much of a health hazard does this really pose?

 

[IRstuff]

Why wouldn't the cord possibly contain lead? The prongs and sockets are probably soldered to the cord itself. Washing hands would seem to be a bit of an overkill, though.

TTFN
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[danw2]

"The sky is falling. The sky is falling" ? ? ?

 

[Compositepro]

Lead is used as a stabilizer in PVC.

http://www.pvc.org/en/p/lead-stabilisers

 

[Skogsgurra]

RoSH says there shouldn't be any lead in solder. And, it was ages ago that prongs and socket were soldered to the conductors. Crimping or point welding is more probable. Sometimes, there are even screw terminals.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[catserveng]

When I worked for a national (USA) electrical testing company I was stuck being the safety coordinator at our branch (in southern California) for a few months, this issue came up and I dug into it a good bit, mainly because I had a couple of techs who saw the same label and refused to handle any of our extension cords.

First level fix, you can find industrial cord, like SO or SJO that does not contain any lead, get a couple of ends and make your own cord. That should take care of those who think Prop 65 labels mean death is near. I also bought two different types of lead test kits, and checked a number of new and old cords with the Prop 65 labels. Guess what, not one of the test kits recorded any measurable lead.

As noted above, lead is added to some PVC and other insulation materials, from what our safety consultant found out, lead is something that Prop 65 requires a warning if ANY lead is used in the components, fabrication, coating or finishing.

So don't chew on it, if you drag it across the ground of course you should wash you hands after handling it. If a cord shows signs of insulation deterioration, like cracking, chalking, etc, get rid of it.

My two cents worth. Mike L.

 

[catserveng]

Here is a nice article on the issue,

http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer...ng-labels-based-on-californias-proposition-65

Mike L.

 

[jmbelectrical]

danw2,

Yeah, yeah. I don't normally worry about such things. While I recognize that carcinogens and toxins are all around us, I can't help but be neurotic when it comes to lead.

 

[Erro11]

Quick, through the extension chord away so that it can decompose back into the environment where we found the lead to begin with!
Perhaps tin-lead solder or plating was used in the construction. Sounds like a reliable extension cord.

 

[msquared48]

Made in China undoubtedly.

Sounds like the sheathing for the wire may have lead content, not the wire itself, if washing of the hands is indicated.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[itsmoked]

Try buying a soaker hose sometime. Same problem - WARNING!!! might contain lead. I suspect they use some recycled rubber out of car tires. Car tires have lead tire-weights associated with them that may make it thru the process.

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[mcgyvr]

Does it also say "may contain peanuts"
or how about
"Processed in a factory that handles Gluten"


Come on California.. Just fall off into the ocean already..

 

[Skogsgurra]

Talking of which: Anyone seen a sign on shore saying "Water may be dangerous to your helth!" yet?

And I do not mean Dihydromonoxide. Just plain sea-water.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[cranky108]

I have tried recycled rubber soaker hoses, and if you want to save your self time, just toss them in the trash as you leave the store.

They don't last as long, break and flood your garden. I don't think I want lead in my garden, as I stoped using leaded gas in my rototiller.

 

[IRstuff]

" Just plain sea-water"

Is there such a thing? Does that include whale and fish poop? On the California coast, beaches are often closed due to contamination from sewage treatment plants, so the water is definitely unsafe during those times. Even normal runoff from a city can make the local water sketchy.

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[Skogsgurra]

So, there are signs saying just that?
We haven't got them. Not yet.

Gunnar Englund

http://www.gke.org

--------------------------------------
Half full - Half empty? I don't mind. It's what in it that counts.

 

[IRstuff]

Yeah, we have signs, and usually, there'll be TV/radio announcements about beach closures.

TTFN
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[cranky108]

I assume all those water discharges meet the EPA standards. That's why the EPA needs armed agents just to handle those illegal water discharges.

Just a thought: Do they also have those lead lables on the door mats made of recyled tires? What about new cars?