Paul Meehan wrote in 101220 MMDigest:

> I can't help but picture invisible clouds of lead particles floating
> around the room and entering my own and the lungs of my wife and kids.
> Is that a reality?

Yes, it _is_ reality, but it is not nearly as important as many folks
think.  Metallic lead is virtually harmless, if one is careful to wash
hands after handling it.  The real concern should be for the powdered
oxide, such as you will find in player piano tubing, and for lead
vapour caused by soldering.

You did the correct thing cleaning the action with a vacuum cleaner.
Of course, a good filter (HEPA-quality) should have been used with it,
with good ventilation, and I normally do that job outside, but I
realize that one doesn't just carry an Ampico grand outdoors!

I have worked on player pianos and pipe organs, soldering and repairing
their lead pipes, as well as soldering old pipe organ cables for over
40 years, and have had no health-effecting difficulties with it.
Proper ventilation is important, as is wearing a good micro-dust mask.

After doing that work, I will shower and change all of my  clothes.
I think that would be overkill for a person working one time, on their
own piano, but for many years I did that every day, and thought it
prudent.

Just my own thoughts, and don't panic!  Some folks are just paranoid
about the hazard, so go ahead and have the wife and kids tested.  Not
a bad thing to do at any rate!

Bob Loesch
Northern California