Hello all! First post and newbie whistler. I recently bought my Feadog D brass whistle and have been really enjoying it! One thing keeps lingering in my mind though. I did some reading before I purchased it, and I swear I read someplace that long term exposure to brass is bad for your health. I have been trying to find anything like that again and I can’t seem to find anything about it. Did I just read something wrong? Anyone hear of this?
I wouldn’t worry about. Some brass alloys might have miniscule amounts of lead in them, but I don’t believe it’s enough to worry about. With this whistle you’re not even putting it in your mouth, and I doubt that you can absorb lead through your fingertips. Play on!
brewerpaul is correct… normal contact should not be problematic over the long term…you just don’t want to be breathing brass dust particles.
Safety information on most workplace and some household materials can best found by looking for the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet)… search Google for “Brass MSDS” and you will find quite a few references with pertinent safety info.
One simple clear version can be found using this link:
I’m a homebrewer, and use brass fitting s in that hobby. Here is a section on brass in brewing from metallurgist John Palmer that is also relevant to your question.
I’m nor suggesting that you have to pickle your flute, but if you let the brass oxidize and turn dull, there shouldn’t be any lead present on the surface. Polishing will bring it back to the surface, though.
Aluminium has, I understand, been linked to Alzheimers. I have a buddy who refuses to drink his beer from cans anymore, just to be on the safe side. I have some 10-yr-old generation whistles with good varnish that have not lost their brightness. I presume that would be safe,
-Wolf
Oh, Hi, this is Wolf’s first post. Immediately jumping feet-first into an issue he knows essentially nothing about.
Wolfwhistler - Welcome to the forum.
The jury is still out on the relationship between aluminum and Alzheimer’s. Do a google search for lots of info. Cooking utensils don’t present a risk, so neither should handling it in a whistle. Again, leave the oxidation layer on to be safe.
By the way, most beer cans are coated to protect the beverage from the aluminum and visa versa.
Thanks for all the answers! Since no one popped on saying I was going to die in 7 days I guess its fine. 
Hi FolkLife.
I know aluminium cans are coated. I am pretty sure it is not dangerous, unless you eat quite a large amount. This is probably true about brass, too.
I am looking forward to the conversation on this list.
If I die playing a whistle, I’ll die a happy girl 
Hey, we’ve all been playing on brass and aluminum whistles for years and we’re all fine. Really, we are.
Yeah… we’re fine … (tick, quiver) … just fine-ine.
If brass or aluminum poisoning is worrying you, you either 1) have no real concept of what the real risks in life are or 2) you enjoy worrying. As my doctor told me concerning longevity: “Don’t smoke, wear your seat belt, exercise - anything else is noise level.”
That’s called hypochondriasis 