I recently purchased a crude, extremely inexpensive tin whistle at a Colonial farm near my home in the Washington, D.C., area … and after my daughter and I had tooted on it occasionally for a week or so (oddly, it sounds pretty good, in a rustic sort of way), it occurred to me to do a lead test on the thing.
The test came back extremely positive. Just a note to beware. I suppose this is even more of a problem with older whistles.
The whistle, which looks a bit like an unpainted traditional Clarke, with a roughly cut wooden fipple block, was made (or at least distributed) by a company out of Gettysburg, Pa. I’ve lost the packaging, but I’ll try to track it down. I plan on calling the Colonial farm where we purchased the whistle tomorrow …
The lead problem with antique whistles is often the lead fipple block. But if I understand correctly, you’re saying that the body of this whistle tests positive for lead?
John, please report back with an identification of the whistle when you have it, and/or a photo to help with an ID. Thanks!
Let’s not speculate about the source or maker until we know something for sure.
I just tracked down the company listed on the label, and they are checking on this now. They say they distribute the whistles but do not make them. They also said they require lead tests on all their products, and they believe these came back negative.
I’ll let you all know what I hear back.
I ran the test again on the whistle this morning, and it again showed positive for lead. I suppose it’s possible the test is just faulty. It’s the Pro-Lab Lead Surface Test Kit.
Oh and sorry, in response to one question: Yes, I’m saying that the body of the whistle is coming back positive for lead. My guess also is that it’s in the solder on the back.
The fipple block is wooden, somewhat like a Clarke.
I’ve suggested to the farm in question that they stock original Clarkes instead. Maybe not exactly accurate historically (this place is a recreation of an 18th century farm), but close.
If anyone from Cooperman happens across this thread, let me apologize for the name drop.
John e-mailed me some pictures of his whistle. It looks almost exactly like my Cooperman, except his has a much bulkier fipple block.
That’s disturbing news, but before anyone panics too much I would say it needs more information. I recall a report during the last bought of lead-containing toys from overseas that said many of the home test kits for lead and even some of the tests done by independent ‘laboratories’ are less than reliable. I’m going to proceed with caution, but I’m not throwing out my whistles just yet.
I just got a call back from a guy at Americana Souvenirs & Gifts of Gettysburg, Pa., which distributes the whistles in question. He has a letter from his overseas supplier certifying that the whistle is lead-free. But to be sure, he’s going to send the whistle to a lab in Connecticut to get it tested.
He says he does not know who manufactures the whistle. It comes from China.
I can post pictures of the whistle in question, if someone would tell me how. I can’t seem to get the photo to paste into the body of this message.
Yeah … Tin whistles would be mostly anachronistic before the early/mid 19th century when industrial tin plate sheets became available. Colonial whistles would more likely have been of wood or reed.
Third world whistles made of metal can be made of ANYTHING.
Been there. The letter from the supplier should be viewed
with a healthy skepticsm (pun intended).
Wow, that craftmanship looks… er… uhm. Lead poisoning is probably only one of the risks involved in playing it. Other hazards involve splinters and cuts, from the look of it.
While googling some background on this, I came across this interesting article from the New York Times, September 26, 1891, on the Ohio gubernatorial campaign of future president William McKinley.
It seems that the tin plating used for some promotional campaign medals was highly contaminated by lead. Leading the article to imply that McKinley was trying to poison America. Plus ça change …
I’m a certified lead hazard risk investigator, so I know a little about lead.
Those type of lead test kits are fairly reliable and a good quick test, but are not the same as laboratory testing. The biggest problem is they show whether or not lead is present, not if the lead actually is dangerous.
There could be some concern, as you are placing the whistle in your mouth, and I presume if the body of the whistle is testing positive so would the mouthpiece area. Ingestion is the most common type of lead poisoning. There’s been discussion on this before in regards to brass whistles which also contain lead (as it’s in brass) and some have resolved the issue by putting clear nail polish on the mouthpiece. My personal opinion, is that I wouldn’t get too concerned, especially for adults, unless you are playing this whistle many hours a day. I wouldn’t let children under 6 play with it - their bodies absorb about 50% of lead they are exposed to; five times more than adults do.
Lead is rarely and minimally absorbed through the skin - just holding it should not be a problem. (It’s the same concept with lead-based paint. Intact lead based paint is safe; it’s just when the paint begins to fail and create dust that is then ingested and/or inhaled that is a problem).
So while I wouldn’t recommend these whistles generally, especially not for kids, I don’t think you have to run screaming in the other direction either.
