A Toxic Soother? Lead in Brass Keys

In fact, in a lawsuit under California’s Proposition 65, testing was done to determine if there was enough lead in brass keys to result in an exposure to lead to require a warning.  California’s Proposition 65 law requires warnings to consumers before exposing them to certain substances, including lead.  In 1999, the California Attorney General filed a complaint against 13 manufacturers of brass keys and lock sets, alleging that the products exposed individuals to lead.  Laboratory tests showed that handling the keys could result in exposure to lead.  The highest test results showed exposure at 80 times the Proposition 65 so-called safe level of 0.5 micrograms per day, while the lowest was still above that safe level.  As a result, in California, brass keys must carry a Proposition 65 warning if they contain more than 1.5% lead.

I don’t know about the lead level in brass keys sold in other states.  The comments posted by the concerned parent indicated a higher level than 1.5%.  But even the 1.5% is too much for me – it is significantly above the lead level allowed in paint (0.06%).  Of course, I recognize the medium is different.  Yet, without the news about no lead level being safe for children. I didn’t want my children to get in the habit of chewing on keys. 

What can you do?  Don’t let you children play with your keys.  Don’t forget to remind other caregivers as well.  My mom, despite lots of warnings, still doesn’t hesitate to jingle keys to calm my daughter . . . just too ingrained.  Make sure you wash your hands after handling your keys and digging in your purse – there’s enough lead dust in there to be a significant exposure if you let your keys rattle around loose.  This is especially important if you are pregnant or nursing.  You might want to think about keeping your keys in a designated pocket.  The plastic key covers are supposed to help reduce exposure, but I don’t know how much.