The History of Lead Paint on Pencils?

[Stephen Tashiro]

Some people, especially kids, have the habit of putting pencils in their mouths or even chewing on them. Were lead based paints ever used on pencils. Should we keep old pencils away from kids?

[Joe Pelonio]

Back in the 1970's studies were done and since then the amount of lead, if any in pencils has been considered safe for children to chew on. Before that who knows? That study found lots o them did contain lead. These days there are a lot of things popping up made in other countries that have been found to contain lead and other dangerous things, so if I still had little ones I'd buy only pencils rom a known local source.