Weights...Lead Warning Scared My Wife

[Cichlid]

When we were in Sport Chalet today my wife saw a warning about lead above the weight display. You know, lead causes cancer, birth defects, growing an extra toe out of your neck, the usual stuff. What do you guys do with your weights? I think I read on here someone saying you could see the lead dust in the water or on the bottom when diving with soft weights. Are all the weights usually lead? What's the best option?

[MEL-DC Diver]

Unless you plan on eating it, not a concern. The sign is likely the result of someone getting in front of some legal action that's bound to come from some diver when the real issue was that they ate paint chips as a child.

[Vercingetorix]

Although the soft lead weights cause dust, the hard, molded weights do not. As MEL-DC mentioned, unless you plan on eating them, then no problem. As for me, I like mine slow-roasted over an open-pit mesquite coal pile and slathered with a tangy bar-b-q sauce. Mmmmm...tasty.

[Dive-aholic]

It's not an issue. SC has been involved in a few scuba related law suits, so I think their lawyers are a little skittish and make them post warnings on everything!

[DirtyWaterIL]

Originally Posted by Vercingetorix

Although the soft lead weights cause dust, the hard, molded weights do not. As MEL-DC mentioned, unless you plan on eating them, then no problem. As for me, I like mine slow-roasted over an open-pit mesquite coal pile and slathered with a tangy bar-b-q sauce. Mmmmm...tasty.

I'm partial to teriyaki and onion on mine

[cummings66]

I don't have any concerns about lead and diving, the bricks at any rate. However, were it my wife and she was thinking about becoming pregnant, first off she would not be diving, and second all lead would be removed from anywhere she visits.

I cast lead bullets and I did just that when we decided to have my daughter 4 years ago. No lead anywhere near the normal areas, I packed up everything and moved it out.

I believe it can be harmful given ingestion and would be careful. My dive weights in that case would be encased in a rubber of some sort to remove even more possible contamination sources.

[turtle_guy]

I noticed a white liquid coming out of my weights after a dive and asked my shop what it was and they told me it was an environment protector goop on the shot i don't know if this was true but i believe them

[Phestr]

Okay, that's kinda weird. And does it work very well if it leaks out? Anyway, I've been diving my soft weights for about 2 years, and haven't noticed any dust. Does it usually come out in the water, or do you notice it in whatever you keep your weights?

[Doghouse]

If you cast, and hunt, you know that led is being replaced with some other metal. It melts much higher, but does not have as much of a health problem.

I have been making my own weights, and using the alternative shot. They are a little larger due to the lower (g/qcm) value.

That could eleviate her fears.

[emmagee]

Some idiot sued them over lead poisoning and their attorney advised them to post the warning. This is the same reason baby strollers have a warning label that says 'warning, do not fold with baby inside.'

Ambulance chasing attorneys and folks looking for a fast buck at someone else's expense are the reason for this non-sense.