Warning labels on locks?

[NYC-10036a]

Just noticed warnings on the packaging for a brass American padlock, and a laminated steel Abus. The lead in locks can give you cancer??

Anyone aware of how real the danger might be?

[GWiens2001]

Just noticed warnings on the packaging for a brass American padlock, and a laminated steel Abus. The lead in locks can give you cancer??

Anyone aware of how real the danger might be?

Just be sure not to lick the locks, and you will most likely be safe enough. California made this warning required on all brass items, since brass is an alloy of copper and lead.

A better warning would be "Do Not Drop This Lock On Your Foot."



or this one...



Gordon

[Neilau]

EVERYTHING gives you cancer

Take Gordon's advice and don't lick or suck them.

[MBI]

Just noticed warnings on the packaging for a brass American padlock, and a laminated steel Abus. The lead in locks can give you cancer??

Anyone aware of how real the danger might be?

Brass is an alloy of primarily copper and zinc, but a lot of time brass alloys will also have a very small amount of lead in them, typically around 2%, to make them more easily machinable.

If I'm remembering right, brass plumbing fixtures can even have as much as 8% lead, even though it's been banned from copper pipe, fittings and plumbing solder. Until recently, they were even allowed to market brass as "lead free" even if it had as much as 4% lead, but I heard that's been lowered to less than one percent. I'm not completely sure about that one though.

While California is known for being heavy handed with how many nit-picking laws they pass, they've been at the forefront of the "battle" against lead in consumer products. Many of the warning labels like the one you're talking about are there because they can't be sold in California state unless it has that label.

Many brass locks will have lead, most brass key blanks probably have lead in the alloy. It's one of the reasons you shouldn't let small children play with your keys.

*edit: looks like Gordon beat me to the punch while I was typing.

[flywheel]

I thought brass was copper and zinc.
Wikipedia set me straight:
On January 1, 2010, the maximum amount of lead in "lead-free brass" in California was reduced from 4% to 0.25% lead.

[NYC-10036a]

Good advice. A shame, old Corbins go great with some salt and vinegar. Oh well.

[MBI]

I thought brass was copper and zinc.
Wikipedia set me straight:
On January 1, 2010, the maximum amount of lead in "lead-free brass" in California was reduced from 4% to 0.25% lead.

No, you were right. The main components of brass is copper and zinc, the ratios of the two vary depending on which specific alloy of brass you're referring to. Lead is a minor component that is usually, but not always added in smaller amounts.

[spuds]

WoW now that's a lock LOL

Just noticed warnings on the packaging for a brass American padlock, and a laminated steel Abus. The lead in locks can give you cancer??

Anyone aware of how real the danger might be?

Just be sure not to lick the locks, and you will most likely be safe enough. California made this warning required on all brass items, since brass is an alloy of copper and lead.

A better warning would be "Do Not Drop This Lock On Your Foot."



or this one...



Gordon

[Hugo Martel]

Gordon, now I understand why at locksmith school, you must wear safety boots!! Thats the heck of a lock!!!

Hugo Martel

[GWiens2001]

Don't know why I was thinking copper and lead. Know lead was a component. Plenty more for me to learn, last time I checked.

Gordon

[LocksportSouth]

Just be sure not to lick the locks,

Aww man
But they're just to tasty!

Dayum. I always assumed that red lock in your av was about the size of a hand or something. Didn't occur to me that the bottom lock is a frickin' S&G Environmental
That's one hell of a lock.

Are all the holes to add extra locks, like a lockout thing? Or is that to do with having a kinda ratcheted closing mechanism so it can be closed to diff. widths?
Edit: Nvm, Found it, or at least something similar - yours seems to be for planes? (remove before flight)

[GWiens2001]

Dayum. I always assumed that red lock in your av was about the size of a hand or something. Didn't occur to me that the bottom lock is a frickin' S&G Environmental
That's one hell of a lock.

Are all the holes to add extra locks, like a lockout thing? Or is that to do with having a kinda ratcheted closing mechanism so it can be closed to diff. widths?
Edit: Nvm, Found it, or at least something similar - yours seems to be for planes? (remove before flight)

Yes, it is kinda sizeable. Yes, it is the version made for airplane propellers. Those propellers are balanced pretty closely, so a 16 pound lock might kinda make the prop slightly off balance, possibly even make the airplane engine shake just a tad. So removal before flight is a good idea.

The various holes are so you can adjust the fit of the lock to various propellers. Here is a pic from the listing when I got the lock showing it installed on a propeller.



Gordon

[davesnothere11]

Dayum. I always assumed that red lock in your av was about the size of a hand or something. Didn't occur to me that the bottom lock is a frickin' S&G Environmental
That's one hell of a lock.

Are all the holes to add extra locks, like a lockout thing? Or is that to do with having a kinda ratcheted closing mechanism so it can be closed to diff. widths?
Edit: Nvm, Found it, or at least something similar - yours seems to be for planes? (remove before flight)

Yes, it is kinda sizeable. Yes, it is the version made for airplane propellers. Those propellers are balanced pretty closely, so a 16 pound lock might kinda make the prop slightly off balance, possibly even make the airplane engine shake just a tad. So removal before flight is a good idea.

The various holes are so you can adjust the fit of the lock to various propellers. Here is a pic from the listing when I got the lock showing it installed on a propeller.



Gordon

I am surprised I haven't seen those up here with all the small planes everywhere. I always assumed it was a wheel lock similar to a "boot" used on parking violators.

[LocksportSouth]

That's very cool . It never occurred to me that aircraft would be locked with basically modified wheel clamps, and I have to say it makes me giggle a bit - I always assumed planes would use some kind of high security lock, alarms, possible an encrypted card reader/code thing, but I guess they're just as susceptible to joyriding as anything else