Lead free extension cords? (Also general discussion on lead containing products)

[Crow550]

I need a 6ft extension cable. All the ones I have found have that California warning about lead.

Do they make lead free extension cables & if so why aren't they more wide spread? Lead free would say ROHS on the package right?

Also is this really something to freak out about or is this just a warning causing more hysteria?

Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are. Plus who knows how many other cables & products I & others have that do contain lead and in public places like stores and such.

*Update* I picked up an extension cord for now at Wal-Mart and the warning was inside the label not the outside. Which I checked some other stores too. Can't find any lead free. Looking online turns up very few results. As with this topic I am kinda 50/50 on keeping it or looking elsewhere.

Doing a google search on lead in extension cords turns up some interesting results.

 

[BoomerD]

I see the same warnings on garden hoses nowadays. So much for grabbing a drink of water out of the garden hose when you're outside working...

Where are you located? ROHS seems to be a European thing...If you're in that part of the world, why would the California warning be on products in Europe?

If you're in the US, why would the ROHS be on products here?

If you're in Canada...you're just fucked.

 

[LTC8K6]

If you aren't going to eat it, or lick it, don't worry about it.

 

[Colt45]

I think this more of a CYA than anything. If there is any solder, it's in the molded plugs; the parts you touch don't have anything lead based. I presume the plugs inside probably have some sort of resistance welding anyway, but who knows, never cut one open...

I'd worry more about the plasticizers in them, they'll make you grow tits

 

[Sukhoi]

I need a 6ft extension cable. All the ones I have found have that California warning about lead.

Do they make lead free power cables & if so why aren't they more wide spread? Lead free would say ROHS on the package right?

Also is this really something to freak out about or is this just a warning causing more hysteria?

Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are. Plus who knows how many other cables & products I & others have that do contain lead and in public places like stores and such.

Are you planning on having your extension cable for dinner?

 

[BoomerD]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_cord#Lead_content

The majority of extension cords sold in the United States contain lead in the PVC insulation sheathing. California Proposition 65 (1986) requires manufacturers to warn consumers when products contain toxic chemicals. Many extension cords carry warning labels that advise consumers to wash their hands after handling them. There is currently no widespread movement in the USA to stop the manufacture of products containing lead.[citation needed]

The European directive, RoHS, restricts the use of hazardous materials like lead in the manufacture of electrical products such as extension cords.

 

[Colt45]

Hmm, quick google makes me rescind my post, apparently it is in the PVC itself, for some reason or other. the more you know, i guess.

 

[CZroe]

Those God-damned warnings have cost consumers BILLIONS. Literally. AFAIK, California is the only state requireing such prominant warnings. That alone is why so many consumer electronics companies choose to go 100% RoHS. Why risk fines if someone "imports" your box from another state and sells it? We used to call that "distribution."

Anyway, it directly led to the nVidia and ATI GPU failures that were blamed on bad ASIC, XBOX 360 RLOD, PS3 YLOD, and a host of other consumer electronics failures (my brother's XHD3000 display needs the scaler chip reflowed AGAIN). While Green Peace derides Nintendo for being the only game console manufacturer to stand up to them, they show these "poisonous" game consoles ending up in landfills just because something newer came out. NEWS-FLASH: People don't throw away their games just because there is something newer. I've *never* witnessed that. About the only thing close to that I have seen is a lot of people believing that their old NES (original Nintendo Entertainment System) was "broken" just because it flashes even though that's something the original users always put up with.

My point it that a huge amount of electronics has been ending up in the landfills that otherwise wouldn't be there precisely because of these industry practices that they want to strong-arm them into using. Most electronics companies don't say much because they secretly enjoy having an expiration date on the old gen tech to enforce an upgrade cycle. It's why iPhones and iPods have built-in batteries that degrade while even Nintendo's devices that have rechargeable batteries are at least replaceable.

And before anyone says that this is to "protect the children," let me just say that kids don't lick their internal printed circuit boards to get their lead exposure from leaded solder. Leaded paint on kids toys, sure, but the primary complaint for electronics is water table contamination through landfills. If the devices don't die and aren't in danger of being thrown out if they don't, it's irrelevant.

 

[Colt45]

That's not really the point. How much electronics go to the dump? an awful lot.

There are always kinks moving to new processes, get over it. It's exempted for mission critical stuff.
The real reason we are seeing more RoHS stuff here is that once you're running on lead free, it makes no sense to make both. So any company that sells to europe will eventually drop their lead products here too.

as for OP, some quick googly bits
EU limits lead in cables to 300ppm
Some random study found roughly half of tested christmas light sets (in the us) exceed this, I couldnt be bothered to read by how much
Some corner cases will exceed this substantially

The pvc blinds lead thing a few years back is the same deal

Some sort of PVC standards and/or lobby body says lead stabilizers will be 'voluntarily' phased out by 2025 or 2015, forget now.

http://www.pvc.org/en/p/lead-stabilisers
Makes it sound like 50% of PVC, period, is leaded. Might not want to lick the hooker's boots next time.


seeing as, according to above link, it was used in potable water equipment in the past, i'd worry more about that than extension cords. I wouldn't write off the risk entirely, but it seems fairly minor, so don't lose sleep if you've ate after handling cords without washing your hands and whatnot, just try and keep it in mind I suppose.

 

[Crow550]

If you aren't going to eat it, or lick it, don't worry about it.

Makes it sound like 50% of PVC, period, is leaded. Might not want to lick the hooker's boots next time.

I like to lick my cables & hooker boots. O.O

Are you planning on having your extension cable for dinner?

Eat it? Puh, that would be weird.

So anyways....

It's in the PVC? Well aside from what products that list containing lead. One has to wonder how many products around the house like electric cords on items in general that aren't listed. I mean like your Vacuum cord when you always have to grab it and move it out of the way or if you use a hair dryer or Kitchen appliances like electric knifes and such.

Same with garden hoses.... Is this in all of them or just the ones made in the last X amount of years?
I mean they also make lead free garden hoses too. Which I heard while most veggies won't soak up any lead. The greens do.

Some water pipes have lead which they say to run the water for 30 seconds....

I also know a friend who bought a camper shower thing that you put the water in the pouch and it uses the sun to warm the water and it came with a warning label saying it contains lead. Which he threw the label away and it was safe as the label said it contained lead. LOL. No uh he returned it....

We try to watch our Health and well being of course. Even if you did some how remove all lead products in your Home you still have other places with those products which if these products have always been around then it's really unknown how harmful it is or if this is something within the last 20-30 years in products that wasn't used before?

Plus who knows what else we have that could be bad in our Homes and such. I mean look at CFL light bulbs that contain a small amount of mercury and other issues some people say effects there health. Heck look up the EPA clean up guide for CFL bulbs. Crazy stuff.

So it's difficult to figure out if these warnings are something to really be concerned about or not? I know it's also best not to live in fear and just try to keep in good Health and hope things go well too.

I mean most people don't want to do something that they know will harm them or there kids or pets. The amount of pets that chew up cables for example.... We tend to put our trust in warnings after all & manufacturers....

 

[William Gaatjes]

I need a 6ft extension cable. All the ones I have found have that California warning about lead.

Do they make lead free extension cables & if so why aren't they more wide spread? Lead free would say ROHS on the package right?

Also is this really something to freak out about or is this just a warning causing more hysteria?

Just wondering what other peoples thoughts are. Plus who knows how many other cables & products I & others have that do contain lead and in public places like stores and such.

*Update* I picked up an extension cord for now at Wal-Mart and the warning was inside the label not the outside. Which I checked some other stores too. Can't find any lead free. Looking online turns up very few results. As with this topic I am kinda 50/50 on keeping it or looking elsewhere.

Doing a google search on lead in extension cords turns up some interesting results.

Hi. Do not worry.
Personally i think the whole ROHS story is about reducing toxic waste and the ability to burn electrical appliances instead of recycling. Here in the Netherlands(EU) at least, it is preferred to burn waste because of the lack of space and because this also produces electricity. The downside is that as with other industrial countries, the Netherlands has it's own history of pollution as well. The same industrials who's who of the Netherlands can probably be found in a small part of the recent history of China's industrial development ... (Funny how politicians use the CO2 scam...) I think the idea is that ROHS compliant electrical appliances can be burned more easily since someone has cooked up that this is more efficient (no large heaps of waste and produces electricity (the burning of waste is used to heat steam. The steam is used to generate electricity through generators) . And since the waste is ROHS , there is less toxic elements and chemicals to be found. The side effect is that products break down more easily but that is something to be solved for the future. Right now, lead replacement materials are sometimes just as toxic.

When you dispose of the extension cord one day, just do not throw it in the trash. Threat the cable as chemical waste and the problem is solved.
Unless you are going to chew on that cord and swallow it, there is nothing to worry about. Products containing lead are generally not an issue unless these are toys for toddlers(which chew on their toys) or pets. Drinking cups and platters are not that wise to use. As is lead plumbing. Indeed ,copper pipes are soldered with lead, but we are talking about trace amounts here unless the plumber did very bad work.

To give you some idea, every electrical appliance for the last 50 years contains lead and other toxic materials. Just do not consume it or inhale toxic fumes for prolonged periods of time.

 

[William Gaatjes]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extension_cord#Lead_content

Why is there lead in the electrical isolation of an extension cord ?
That does not make sense.

Nevermind.

 

[Doppel]

I see the same warnings on garden hoses nowadays. So much for grabbing a drink of water out of the garden hose when you're outside working...

Where are you located? ROHS seems to be a European thing...If you're in that part of the world, why would the California warning be on products in Europe?

If you're in the US, why would the ROHS be on products here?

If you're in Canada...you're just fucked.

I saw a hose a couple years back at Lowes specifically said lead-free and you can drink from it.

-----

Nobody in the fvcking WORLD cleans their hands after handling extension cords, it's a total asinine recommendation they have.

 

[Mark R]

Why is there lead in the electrical isolation of an extension cord ?
That does not make sense.

Nevermind.

There is no lead in extension cords. There is also no solder in extension cords - high-current, high-voltage connections should not be soldered. In particular, (at least in Europe), electrical codes strictly forbid any mains-power connections to be soldered; the reason being that solder can melt and sputter at relatively low temperature levels, causing and sustaining arcs, and contaminating adjacent circuits.

There is also no lead in the insulation. The warning is incorrectly worded. It refers to the presence of DEHP (and other pthalates) which are used as softeners in the PVC insulation (PVC is in its pure form quite hard, but when blended with pthalates, becomes soft and flexible. DEHP has some activity as an "endocrine disruptor" or "gender bending" chemical). California requires special warnings on items which contain DEHP even though, the existence of any health risks from handling these products is highly controversial among scientists.

Rather confusingly California legislation specifies the wording for the warnings (which specifically include the word "lead") even if the warning is about a different chemical (like, in this case, DEHP).

If you are really worried about the toxicity of PVC, you could always replace the cable with a silicone insulated cable. Silicone is very flexible, less toxic and can withstand much higher temperatures. However, it has a very high friction coefficient, so doesn't "pull" as easily. Silicone cable is used in clothes irons, but has to have an outer fabric sheath, because a bare silicone cable would pucker up the clothes if it dragged on them.

 

[Greenman]

If your house was built before 1980, a little lead in an extension cord is the least of your worries.

 

[William Gaatjes]

There is no lead in extension cords. There is also no solder in extension cords - high-current, high-voltage connections should not be soldered. In particular, (at least in Europe), electrical codes strictly forbid any mains-power connections to be soldered; the reason being that solder can melt and sputter at relatively low temperature levels, causing and sustaining arcs, and contaminating adjacent circuits.

Well, that is in agreement with my understanding of the matter.
I have never seen soldered connections. Only cables where the copper wires have tube shaped terminals applied to them that are mechanically forced by use of a pinched connection upon the cable(i have no idea what these are called). These are then screwed into a screw terminal. But most wires are connected to male and female mains plugs by use of mechanical force, a pinched connection. Cheaper in production, can more easily withstand mechanical vibrations and more reliable. A win win situation.

There is also no lead in the insulation. The warning is incorrectly worded. It refers to the presence of DEHP (and other pthalates) which are used as softeners in the PVC insulation (PVC is in its pure form quite hard, but when blended with pthalates, becomes soft and flexible. DEHP has some activity as an "endocrine disruptor" or "gender bending" chemical). California requires special warnings on items which contain DEHP even though, the existence of any health risks from handling these products is highly controversial among scientists.

Rather confusingly California legislation specifies the wording for the warnings (which specifically include the word "lead") even if the warning is about a different chemical (like, in this case, DEHP).

If you are really worried about the toxicity of PVC, you could always replace the cable with a silicone insulated cable. Silicone is very flexible, less toxic and can withstand much higher temperatures. However, it has a very high friction coefficient, so doesn't "pull" as easily. Silicone cable is used in clothes irons, but has to have an outer fabric sheath, because a bare silicone cable would pucker up the clothes if it dragged on them.

There is another link by colt45 in this thread explaining the use of lead in PVC. Indeed you are right.

 

[FoBoT]

it is stupid , unless you plan on chewing your cord
or maybe you have a rabbit that might chew it and you think the rabbit might go insane from chewing it

no, it doesn't really matter

 

[DrPizza]

It's idiotic histeria based on some overzealous people who "better safe than sorry!" A couple years ago, they were about to ban the making of 50cc dirtbikes for kids. Why? Because it's a kids toy & the lead in the motorcycle battery exceeded the 300ppm (or whatever the limit is) by FAR. I can understand limiting the amount of lead in things that kids are going to put into their mouths, or in things like hoses. But otherwise, what a waste of effort & resources. Idiots, particularly Californians, hear "lead" and think "omg! Save the children." Is lead bad for you? The answer isn't "no." The answer is, "it depends on how much." Ditto to things like mercury. Children who went to school in the 70's or earlier will all remember playing with a few ounces of liquid mercury, rolling around in their hands. We survived. Now, a mercury thermometer breaks and one drop hits the floor - evacuate the building! Call in the hazmat team!" Is it bad? Sure. Lots of things are bad. But our risk analysis as a society is horrible. We waste a shitload of money on things that will ultimately have a marginal effect on the vast majority of people, while completely ignoring other issues which have an effect on far more people.

 

[Rubycon]

it is stupid , unless you plan on chewing your cord
or maybe you have a rabbit that might chew it and you think the rabbit might go insane from chewing it

no, it doesn't really matter

I chewed on cords when I was a little girl.
Maybe that's watt's wrong with me. :biggrin:

Oh and if you think those warnings are bad check out the warning on sharkbite fittings!

Playing with mercury is fun and not really bad. The fumes are present at room temperature. Dropping a thermostat bulb, old mercury thermometer, even a FL tube and calling it hazardous is ridiculous.
Well the bulbs are hazardous - ever walk in stocking feet and get glass in them? That can be painful.

 

[DrPizza]

I chewed on cords when I was a little girl.
Maybe that's watt's wrong with me. :biggrin:

Oh and if you think those warnings are bad check out the warning on sharkbite fittings!

Playing with mercury is fun and not really bad. The fumes are present at room temperature. Dropping a thermostat bulb, old mercury thermometer, even a FL tube and calling it hazardous is ridiculous.
Well the bulbs are hazardous - ever walk in stocking feet and get glass in them? That can be painful.

Yep, it's as hazardous as saying that nitrogen is hazardous and carbon is hazardous. (Because cyanide is hazardous) Unless I'm mistaken, it's methyl mercury - a compound - that accumulates in the body; plain old mercury pretty much just passes through.

 

[Rubycon]

Yep, it's as hazardous as saying that nitrogen is hazardous and carbon is hazardous. (Because cyanide is hazardous) Unless I'm mistaken, it's methyl mercury - a compound - that accumulates in the body; plain old mercury pretty much just passes through.

Elemental mercury is not much of a hazard directly in contact with the skin or ingestion even! OTOH breathing the vapors is very bad for you. Most people that have disorders related to mercury poisoning come from consumption of fish caught in contaminated waters. Where does that mercury come from? Mostly from burning coal to generate electrical power!

 

[Matthiasa]

I think this more of a CYA than anything. If there is any solder, it's in the molded plugs; the parts you touch don't have anything lead based. I presume the plugs inside probably have some sort of resistance welding anyway, but who knows, never cut one open...

I'd worry more about the plasticizers in them, they'll make you grow tits

But then you could play with tits any time you want.

 

[TonyG]

You mean I shouldn't hold my chinese lead solder in my mouth and breath in the fumes....might explain....twitch....twitch....
If you really want to play with the lead poisoning idea, I have 10lbs of lead tetroxide, it is so brightly colored reddish-orange that you just want to play with it. No, I am not worried about the lead in an extension cord.

 

[Bignate603]

It's idiotic histeria based on some overzealous people who "better safe than sorry!" A couple years ago, they were about to ban the making of 50cc dirtbikes for kids. Why? Because it's a kids toy & the lead in the motorcycle battery exceeded the 300ppm (or whatever the limit is) by FAR. I can understand limiting the amount of lead in things that kids are going to put into their mouths, or in things like hoses. But otherwise, what a waste of effort & resources. Idiots, particularly Californians, hear "lead" and think "omg! Save the children." Is lead bad for you? The answer isn't "no." The answer is, "it depends on how much." Ditto to things like mercury. Children who went to school in the 70's or earlier will all remember playing with a few ounces of liquid mercury, rolling around in their hands. We survived. Now, a mercury thermometer breaks and one drop hits the floor - evacuate the building! Call in the hazmat team!" Is it bad? Sure. Lots of things are bad. But our risk analysis as a society is horrible. We waste a shitload of money on things that will ultimately have a marginal effect on the vast majority of people, while completely ignoring other issues which have an effect on far more people.

But think of the children!!!

I agree with you, if something is an obvious hazard we should do something about it. However, if it's not dangerous or can be handled with reasonable precautions (like washing your hands after using it or just not putting the stupid thing in your mouth) why should we bother to change it?

 

[0roo0roo]

thats nothing.
http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/methylene/working_met.html#_1_1
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/93-133/pdfs/93-133.pdf
was reading up on paint stripper i was looking to use, its banned in the eu. not sure how anyone can use it safely without a fume hood....sold everywhere in the us still lol

nice toxic stuff, when you can smell the odor you are several times over the limit...