I've bitten those lead split shot sinkers onto my line since i was a kid. Am I at risk now for lead poisoning?

Question

That's just the way my father showed me how to do and that's how my friends and I have done it for years. I never really realized that i was putting lead into my mouth because i didn't know that's what it was made out of until my friend mentioned it to me. So what do you guys think?

Answer 1

They are not made from lead anymore. It is some some other material similar to lead.

Answer 2

  I can only tell you what my denist told me.Don't do it. She said lead is poison and besides you could chip a tooth.I didn't  listen  and sure enough,I chipped a tooth. be safe,use pliers.

Answer 3

Yes.  You should have your orthodontist run a quick scan to make sure.

Answer 4

my dad used to do it all the time didnt hurt him,  

Answer 5

I've bit enough genuine lead split shot over the course of many years to anchor a small boat and still have my teeth (original equipment) and no ill effects.

Only problem was I had to remove the cigarette to get a tight crimp.

Answer 6

there is a chance but get it checked out by a doc.

i wish you luck

Answer 7

Actually, you probably had high levels of lead in you blood as a child.  Children are more suseptable to lead poisoning and are more likely to need treatment.

You don't say how old you are but the lead is eventually stored in your bones and other body tissues. If you get tested as an adult, the lead may not show up in your blood because the body has taken it out of the blood and stored it "in a safe place".

Sadly, it comes back to bite us in the butt though, because as we get older and our bones become less dense, the lead gets back in our blood.  

Not really a good thing to keep doings since you know the harm.  I did the same thing growing up, learning it from my dad.  He has Alzhiemer's now--don't know if it had anything to do with the lead but you never know.

I'd invest in a good pair of stainless pliers.

Answer 8

get tested.if you have it, maybe they can get it out........

Answer 9

i dont think so because i used to do the same thing and i just got tested for lead. it came back negative.

just for ya'll that think women dont fish i am from northern MN. Everybody fishes there.

Answer 10

yeah get it checked you may get lead poisoning and die!!

Answer 11

I'm gonna have to agree with AIRFLOW on this one...there's nothing you can do about it now but, either stop biting the split shot onto your line, or better yet..to protect our rivers and lakes for future generations... lets (the fishing community) try to start using lead substitutes such as the tungsten weights that AIRFLOW pointed out earlier. I still have a few flies with lead eyes so I'm gonna have to face those demons as well. For tying flies. they make stainless steel eyes, beads and cones as well as copper and brass. .  

Answer 12

I actually bit a split shot onto my line two days ago. Like you I always bite my sinkers onto my line, I guess were both too lazy to carry around pliers. I don't worry about lead poisoning, and unless you've actually consumed a piece of a sinker you shouldn't be concerned either.

Answer 13

Unless you were biting off splinters of it and swallowing them, you're not in danger.  If in doubt, ask to have your lead level checked.

Answer 14

i dont think so..unless you have been eating them..=-\

Answer 15

I wouldn't worry about it but I don't think you should do it anymore. Use pliers, and good luck on your next fishing trip.

Answer 16

GET TESTED FOR AN STD!!!

Answer 17

Nahh, don't sweat it.

We used to do a lot of things that woosies have issues with today.  

We used to play w/ mercury drops in science class

We rode bikes w/out helmets

Moms drank and smoked while pregnant.

The vast majority of us turned out just fine.

Answer 18

Don worry about it, ive melted lead, bitten lead split shot and so on and haven't been affected yet... if you do get any of the symptoms such as your hands twitching due to damaged nerves then i would see a doctor, but from what i know there is nothing they can do about it even if you have got it o maybe start using pliers or forceps to crimp the split shot and enjoy your fishing. Info on lead poisoning

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lead-po...

Most split shot now isnt even made of lead, most are tungsten and various other metals.

Answer 19

do it all the time no worries

Answer 20

Sure are, also at risk for getting hit by a car or a speeding bullet.  The saliva in your mouth will dissolve some of the lead, but the acid in your stomach is the real problem. Solid lead is less of a hazard than colloidal lead that is ingested. Heavy metal tests are very expensive, other signs would be an indicator. Anemia, and other lead poisoning indications should be watched. IMO  the risk is very low.  

Answer 21

I've done it too, I have also played with and cast toy lead soldiers, fishing sinker and now cast lead bullets.   I'm 56 just had a blood test and my lead level was well below standards.

Much of the hype about lead is a knee jerk reaction  To the point where the knee jerked so hard it has bashed peoples common sense brains out.  

But caution should not be thrown into the wind, wash hands after using lead, wear a mask and stop biting sinkers.