On Aug 15, 12:58 pm, Jeff wrote:
On Aug 15, 10:33 am, GROVER wrote:

The news is full of stories concerning our importation of children's
toys painted with lead paint. (Not to mention other gaffs such as
tooth paste, tires et al). Since our NG is well aware of all the
wood working tools which are also imported from China, does any one
see a potential hazard to the users, I realize that adults use these
tools and aren't likely to ingest the coatings. Just though some in
the group might have a thought on the matter.

I don't see it as a problem with regard to woodworking tools. Lead
paint has a slightly sweet taste which appeals to children. That's why
kids chewed pencils back in the day. While toys might find their way
to little mouths, it's not likely a jointer will. And if a kid starts
chewing on a cabinet saw, then the negligent party isn't the
manufacturer....

That's the first I've heard of the sweet taste. We were always told
that kids chew on ANYTHING at certain ages, which could mean baseboard
or various other bits of molding, toys or whatever. The fact is, too,
that the kids have brains in the process of formation, and are far
more susceptible to lead poisoning than are adults, so the toy
information is particularly distressing. We've been treated to some
guy claiming that the general reaction to China's **** poor safety
regulation, at all ends, is racist. I've read his blather in three
different places now. There seems to be a card to flip that is
supposed to allow any group to do anything to the detriment of others
without being forced to change. If it isn't racism, it's ageism,
or...could it all be infantilism because of earlier lead poisoning?

Any woodworker chewing on his drill press or planer, though, has much
worse problems than a tiny taste of lead might cause.