I bought a strange brass ‘C’ whistle in Ottawa recently. It appears that the fipple plug is made of lead! This can’t be good. It is hard to read the markings on the whistle but there is large “V” stamped on the body and a ring below that, which possibly says “Madhu…” The ring is held in place by a drop of solder on the back of the whistle.
Does anyone know anything about this whistle. Does it pose a health hazard?
Stef
I can’t identify the brand you stated, but if this is a modern made whistle and not an antique,then the fipple is probably made of “Britania” commonly called “Lead Free Solder”. Another possibilty for the fipple is “German silver”(a copper alloy that contains no real silver).
If you have fears about this fipple material,you can coat it with a clear non-toxic nail polish. Another option would be to buy a single sheet of gold leaf and apply it over the fipple plug first,before you paint it with clear-coat.
Even if it is made out of lead (probably not), the health hazard is very small if any. Adults and older kids do not absorb lead as easily as small children do, and it is the inhalation and ingestion of lead dust that is the biggest cause of lead poisoning. And if it is just the plug you are concerned about, you’re not coming in direct contact with it.
That being said, I agree with Thomas - coat it with something like nail polish if it worries you.
And enjoy your whistle!
Beth
(Public Health Nurse and Certified Lead Risk Assessor)
I agreee tha t led n fiples is know big dea l.
Ive plaid lotta whisles wit h ledd in them and i donot ha
whhat were we talk ing about?
I need mor candy, pleas.
Dale
Dale,
have you been hanging out in Grandpa’s tool shed taste testing those old cans of paint ??
Maybe it’s an Indian or Pakistani
whistle. I’ve seen some from there
that match your description. I actually
got quite sick playing these–nothing
deadly, yet, but they have an awful
metallic taste that mixes with spit and if I swallow it makes me feel awful. Probably
everybody is right about the low risks,
etc. and personally I don’t mess with
whistles that worry me.
Lead is deadly. Coat it with lacquer as others have said, it’s not worth the risk. If you play it a lot it may have an effect.
Hey Stef,
What you describe sounds similiar to a whistle I have that was made in Pakistan or India. It’s all brass, plays well and is in tune internally. However, the whole whistle is about a quarter tone out of tune. Mine even has the band soldered in place but the words are different, and no lead plug. If it is lead, I would not stick that thing in my mouth. It’s been suggested to me to put a piece of vinyl tape on the plug where my mouth toughes it.
Whatever you do, don’t chew this mouthpiece!
Vinny
I think you might be right about this whistle being from India. The only reason I noticed the “lead,” is because most of the brass plating is chipped off of the fipple plug. However, a thin piece, right on the edge of the mouth piece is not covered at all.