On the 6/28/2008 Episode 76 of MuscleCar, they had a Hepa filtered local exhaust system when they were melting lead. Is this really needed for your average garage when melting lead filler from you car - or is it best to do this outside - or does it really make a difference?? I see plenty of articles in car magazines where the person is not wearing any protective clothes and are melting lead without any protection. I was thinking at the very least, I would wear protective clothing and wear a respirator device. Thoughts?

 

I would do it outside and obviously not breath the smoke. I can't see one time of doing this would poison you. Most of us over thirty were exposed to all sorts of lead.

 

It's not good to inhale lead, (even one time) and it's also not good to melt it indoors, as it permeates the walls and stays there to be touched later. More lead is ingested by touching and then not washing properly than ever by inhalation.
I cast a lot of lead for one of my other hobbies, (reloading ammo) and have read a lot of studies on lead poisoning. Proper washing after contact is the best prevention, and the next is proper ventilation.
If you go outside to do the melting you need to be aware of wind direction and always have a fan pointed towards your work area to push fumes away from your body. Doing it outside with ventilation to keep it moving away from your face will take care of any possible lead issues.
ALWAYS wash well when you're done, and NEVER eat or drink when working with lead until you're done and have washed up thoroughly.

 

Learn something new everyday.

 

My wife says the lead casting has caused obsessive compulsive Camaro disorder. So watch out for that!

 

LOL She may be right.