Materials I will never work with
Updated on .
-
Lead has no safe exposure levels and causes brain damage, so I avoid it as much as possible. Unfortunately, it’s the primary plasticizer for PVC and cord coatings, a pigment in old paints, and the electrodes in car batteries. It’s also a significant component of most highly-machinable steel, aluminum, and brass alloys, but there are Lead-free machinable metal alloys.
-
Brass often contains lead and is the typical alloy used for keys, door knobs, and pens; all meant to be handled.
-
Mercury is a neurotoxin and evaporates into the air – the vapors are harmful and it’s extremely difficult to contain. This means that compact fluorescent bulbs and fluorescent fixtures are problematic.
-
Styrene causes cancer and is neurotoxic. 3D printing ABS plastic and melting styrofoam release styrene vapors.
-
Americium or any other radiation source. Some smoke detectors use Americium to detect particles.