Originally Posted by Big Girtha
However my weights holes are a little bigger because I’ve stripped the rubber coating off, something Monty says we shouldn’t do. He has offered to re-dip the weights for free, but I like them this way. To me the cool smooth lead is more comfortable than the rubber, and without the rubber they are the perfect fit. I have to lather up in the shower to get them on but once they are on they stay without wrap. I’ve been wearing them this way for almost a year without any problems with the lead against skin. I’m pretty sure lead has to be inhaled or ingested to be toxic, but if you girth is less than six inches you will probably be comfy with the rubber on. Just don’t wear them going through airport security. I have a medal detector story, but I’ll save it for another thread.
Ummm.. BG, that material is lead (as you know).
This study showed that Lead Oxides (PbO, PbO2, etc.) can be absorbed through the skin. In addition they found that some soaps (Ivory Liquid cleanser was one that was tested) can significantly increase the amount absorbed. A 30 minute lead exposure that was then cleaned by Ivory Liquid cleanser experienced 7.97 times (12.9 to 62.1 ng/cm^2) the amount of absorption as a 24 hour exposure cleaned with water alone. When the skin had been damaged the absorption rate for the non-soap testing increase by a factor of 5.6. (The soap sample was 1.6 times that amount).
This survey used particulate samples of Lead Oxides, but I would still be concerned about the layer of lead oxide that you are pressing against your skin. Given that they used lead oxides in particulate form your absorption is probably significantly less.
Lead Oxides are a dull gray color, and form a thin outer layer on lead that has been exposed to the O2 in the atmosphere for any significant length of time. Pure lead is a bright, shiny bluish-white metal.
http://www.corr osion-doctors.o … lution/lead.htm
Because of similar chemical properties, the body confuses lead with calcium when ingested and incorporates it into the bone marrow, nerve tissue, brain, and kidneys. The body never decomposes the lead into another, more easily tolerated substance, because lead is an element.
.. At low concentration lead can adversely affect the brain, the central nervous system, blood cells, and kidneys. Blood lead concentrations as low as 10 ug/dl can impair mental and physical development. Lead at high concentrations (80 ug/dl or above) can cause convulsions, coma, and death. If you suspect lead poisoning, consult your physician immediately.
(2) "Long-term (chronic) overexposure". Chronic overexposure to lead may result in severe damage to your blood - forming, nervous, urinary and reproductive systems. .. Chronic overexposure to lead also results in kidney disease with few, if any, symptoms appearing until extensive and most likely permanent kidney damage has occurred. ..
Chronic overexposure to lead impairs the reproductive systems of both men and women. Overexposure to lead may result in decreased sex drive, impotence and sterility in men.
There are a large number of other negative effects from lead poisoning.
All in all BG, I would highly recommend against using these lead weights without the rubber coating. In addition, I certainly would suggest that you don’t lube up with soap in order to get the non-rubberized lead onto your penis.
I have seen no data on the transmission rates of lead through rubber. There are probably some studies around given that this is a common method to encase lead weights. Given that it is common, it is probably effective, but I have no data on it.
I am not a doctor; this is not medical advice.
makyen