Lead For Stained Glass
They say that lead for stained glass can easily last you for about one hundred years. Whether you make stained glass objects or even if you are the custodian of such objects it is important to learn whether this is in fact true or not. The simple truth is that lead for stained glass can disintegrate within a few years though at the same time it can also last for many hundreds of years.
Stained glass – used since a long time ago
Lead for stained glass has been used in western civilisations for a very long time. Though lead was mostly used to help in transferring pictures onto glass it has also been used to help link different pieces of regular glass. Today, when using lead for stained glass it is important to learn how to handle it carefully because if it is not handled carefully it can easily become a health hazard that can put the well being of craftsmen at risk. Lead is also not good for the intellectual development of a child.
Protect yourself
When working with lead for stained glass it is important to protect yourself because when you come into contact with lead fumes and with dust it can damage your health. That is why one must avoid being exposed to lead as much as one can.
Lead fumes
Lead fumes might arise when the solder starts to melt and when you operate the lead soldering iron at a high temperature fumes will be released that are dangerous to your health.
It is important to exercise special care when restoring an old stained glass window because with the passage of time the lead for stained glass starts to oxidise and this will result in a white coloured coating that can rub off easily. If this white coloured powder is inhaled it can cause much distress and the powder can also stick to your hands and clothes as well as tools.
Because people that work with lead for stained glass will be coming into direct contact with lead, it is important that they take steps to protect themselves as best as they can. Women that are pregnant should not be anywhere close to where stained glass activities are taking place and they must do so till their baby is delivered.
Young children must also be kept away from areas where work with lead for stained glass is going on. They should also not be allowed to come into contact with supplies that contain lead as they can easily come down with lead poisoning. Similarly, it is not advisable to eat in a place where work with lead for stained glass is going on as this is dangerous as the surface may be contaminated with lead and contact with contaminated surfaces or clothes can cause health concerns.
Lead for stained glass is generally used for connecting pieces of stained glass together. The lead used comes in two different shapes including the U shape which is used for applying finishing touches and there is the H shaped lead that is used to connect a pair of glass pieces together.
