I normally wear a dust mask when filing lead, do it close to an open window and forbid my son being in the room, I wash my hands thoroughly after handling lead models, I assume the primer creates a barrier when painting so I *do* put a point on my brush with my mouth.....

_________________
Just some guy

My hobby/painting threads

Army Forge List Co-ordinator

Rest of the post aside, that's probably a habit to get out of. GW paints might be safe most of the time, but not all paints are.

On the lead, I wash my hands after i've been handling unpainted lead. If i've been filing or shaving lead minis i tend to do so on a bit of folded scrap paper that i can put directly in the bin with any bits on it it and/or dust down the surface after with a damp bit of kitchen towel and then dispose of it.

My understanding is that the risk is from ingesting it, or getting it on mucous membranes (nose, eyes, w/e). Don't eat it, do not lick it, do not snort the filings. If you cast with it make sure you do not over heat the alloy (unlikely in a hobby setting where you are not using specialist equipment/blow torch).

However, I do not have any medical/safety sources to back any of this up. The above is just an outline of what i do personally.

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

The amount of lead would probably be undetectable on the brush. Metal filing tends to be so heavy for its size that they don't float around say like other materials so they're not going to be getting everywhere too much. A mask and going outside isn't going to hurt and washing ones hands frequently is just good hygiene anyways so do it.

However I am far more cautious with things like working with resin as that's a dangerous beast.

_________________
He's a lawyer and a super-villian. That's like having a shark with a bazooka!

-I HAVE NO POINT
-Penal Legion-Fan list
-Help me make Whitescars not suck!

I tend to shape it between a finger and thumb, some people do it in the crease of their palm as well.

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

As I understand it, the oils on your hands are death to sable brushes, no? (only have one kolinsky for very specific uses)

_________________
He's a lawyer and a super-villian. That's like having a shark with a bazooka!

-I HAVE NO POINT
-Penal Legion-Fan list
-Help me make Whitescars not suck!

I've killed a sable by getting super glue in the bristles, but my fingers never seem to have damaged them.

It does sound reasonable that skin oil might be bad for brushes though! i've just not knowingly experienced it myself.

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

I'd have thought the enzymes in slobber would probably not be good either....

_________________
Just some guy

My hobby/painting threads

Army Forge List Co-ordinator

As you can see i take immaculate care of my brushes … skin oil is the least of my problems!

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

I admit to being a bristle licker. As for the metals,I wash my hands after use, but otherwise have no further precautions. I no of no miniature painters who have died of lead poisoning. I also hope and pray against 'famous last words'.

_________________
Mickey's Minis Painting Service: http://www.mickeysminis.com
Mickey's Minis on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MickeysMinis
Mickey's Minis Blog: http://mickeysminis.blogspot.co.uk
My Personal Blog: http://mickeysminishome.blogspot.co.uk

Yeah I hear these stories about people with 10 year old brushes and I don't get it. I go through them as well. Its not a quality of brush thing either. $5 or $30 brush, it makes no difference so obviously the issue is with me, though damned if i know what I'm doing with it. I've personally standardized on Tamiya HF 6 brushes (by the bucket full) as they have the intersection of price and quality of tip that works for me. Anyways, we're getting off topic.

discussing metal and resin, how often do you all take your whole workshop apart and deep clean and organize everything?

_________________
He's a lawyer and a super-villian. That's like having a shark with a bazooka!

-I HAVE NO POINT
-Penal Legion-Fan list
-Help me make Whitescars not suck!

Well i have to each time i move, which has been once every one or two years as a student.

But it is perfectly safe! there is at least 30cm (maybe even 50cm!) between where i file metal/resin on the desk i eat at and the pillow i sleep on …

If lead exposure from this hobby is a significant risk (in general terms, aside from eating it) you can all rest assured that i'll probably die of lead exposure before the rest of you do (i've been hand casting lead alloys since i was ?13? so my exposure to lead myst be pretty high)! so you can adjust accordingly afterwards

My brushes tend to either hook very fast of last a long time, unless i do something catastrophic (like superglue). The one pictured above is still in use and has been for years. I often think i should replace it … but thinking and doing …

_________________
AFK with real life, still checking PMs

GW paint has been recalled at least once that I remember due to contamination. Wouldn't be surprised by the same from other brands.

_________________
Currently doing a plastic scenery kickstarter