![]() ![]() Later, the graphite was inserted into hollowed out wooden sticks. Initially, they wrapped graphite with string. The whole countryside was abuzz with talk about this mysterious mineral, which eventually came to be known as “plumbagoi” or, more commonly, “Blacklead.” They found it left a dark mark, making it ideal for writing and drawing, but so soft and brittle, some type of holder was required. As the story goes, a passerby found bits of a shiny, black substance clinging to the roots of a fallen tree. Graphite came into widespread use following the discovery of a large graphite deposit in Borrowdale, England in 1564. If you’re looking for information on potential lead exposure risks in pencils, Click here. The common name “pencil lead” is due to an historic association with the stylus made of lead in ancient Roman times. Rather, the core is made up of a non-toxic mineral called graphite. (On a related note, you cannot get ink poisoning from a pen.Here’s a myth buster: There is no lead in pencils. Probably best to use your pencil for writing. Of course, there would still be a hole in you from the stabbing, and swallowing bits of wood and other foreign material is a choking hazard and a threat to your digestion. So, getting stabbed with a bit of pencil lead or swallowing some will not give you Lead poisoning. banned Lead in paint, and nearly 15 years later, in 1992, the U.K. In the early days of pencil making, the paint they used to coat the wood would have contained Lead.Īround the 1940s, many manufacturers stopped adding Lead to the paint they were coating their products.īut it was not until 1978 that the U.S. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious when using colored pencils and to avoid ingesting or exposing oneself to their Lead. These binding agents may contain potentially harmful chemicals if ingested or exposed for long periods. Is Colored Pencil Lead Toxic?Ĭolored pencil lead is made from a mixture of pigments and binding agents, unlike regular graphite pencils. If you want to know more about wooden and mechanical pencils, look at Wooden Pencils Vs. It is not lead, but graphite, the only difference being that it is not cased in wood and is a nontoxic substance. The simple answer is no because the Lead in a mechanical pencil is the same as a wooden lead. ![]() If this is severe, it is always worth seeing a doctor. ![]() But there should be no lasting harm done. They discuss the problems you may encounter if you inadvertently swallow pencil lead (graphite).īasically, you are unlikely to experience any symptoms if you swallow pencil lead or are inadvertently stabbed by a pencil.Īt worst, you may experience a mild stomach ache or be sick. National Institute of Health explains on its website. The graphite used in pencils is more or less harmless, as the U.S. You should be ok if you eat pencil graphite (pencil lead). To learn more about this, look at our guide on where pencil lead comes from.ģ. Graphite is not metal but a mineral formed from carbon. So the next obvious question is graphite toxic?Ĭan you get graphite poisoning? Fortunately, the answer again is no graphite is not toxic or poisonous if it were, all the pencil chewers would be in a spot of bother. Yes, it is called ‘pencil lead,’ but it is graphite, a different substance from Lead. ![]() Why not? Because there is no lead in a pencil, you are perfectly safe and cannot die from pencil lead. The answer is ‘No.’ Not possible…not even from a whole box of pencils. What Happens if You Eat Pencil Graphite?įor those wondering if pencil lead is poisonous or toxic and if they can get lead poisoning from a pencil? ![]()
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