Lead Poisoning?? - General Health Message Board

stefanies41280 · 06-26-2001, 09:46 PM

Hello, I have a question. When my boyfriend was young he got the tip of a pencil (which was not lead but graphite) stuck in his leg. It has been several years and it is still in there. You can see it just under the skin. Can this do any harm to him? Should he have it taken out?

Robert2 · 06-27-2001, 04:40 PM

Graphite won't disolve. The pencil tip can stay there indefinitely without causing problems.

stefanies41280 · 06-27-2001, 10:45 PM

If it was you, would you have it removed?

Jester · 06-28-2001, 11:51 AM

There is probably more danger in having it removed. If it is causing him pain, get it removed, but otherwise, don't bother. I wouldn't remove it...

stefanies41280 · 09-14-2001, 10:53 PM

So when did they stop making pencils with lead? This incident happened around 1986.