I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as generalized notions with no supporting evidence. 

The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the plating process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these mouthpieces.  I would like to hear from more objective and professional members on this site about this topic. 

As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy any
blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in New
Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese blanks
is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
 

There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply not
an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at the
plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're usually
brass.
 
 


  _____  

From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of gregwier
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured
mouthpieces


  

I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by
dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
generalized notions with no supporting evidence. 

The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the plating
process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
members on this site about this topic. 

There's brass and there's brass -- the 'lead-free' brass for plumbing isn't the same as the >3% leaded brass for machining.  On the one hand I wouldn't be to concerned in general, but China is pretty much unregulated when it comes to these things.  An obviously bad design from an unknown seller, I wouldn't be altogether surprised if it were neither brass nor gold plated.  If it turns out to be both, I'm not worrying about the health issue.


--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, " STEVE GOODSON" <saxgourmet@...> wrote:
>
> As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
> mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy any
> blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in New
> Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese blanks
> is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
>  
> 
> There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
> haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply not
> an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
> That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
> poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at the
> plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're usually
> brass.
>  
>  
> 
> 
>   _____  
> 
> From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com]
> On Behalf Of gregwier
> Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
> To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured
> mouthpieces
> 
> 
>   
> 
> I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by
> dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
> Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
> generalized notions with no supporting evidence. 
> 
> The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the plating
> process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
> mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
> members on this site about this topic.
>

The only sort of evidence worth paying attention to would be to have an independent laboratory do chemical composition analysis of the substrate as well as the plating layer(s).  And when I say "independent", I mean undisputable testing which is arranged and paid for by a completely independent entity - not the manufacturer or anyone associated with the sale of the product being tested.

Until chemical composition analyses were routinely being performed with the results publicly available and reviewed, I see nothing wrong with people being cautious.  Given the perennial safety recalls for products made in China, I'd say that anyone voicing concern is far from being an alarmist - throwing another log on the bonfire, maybe...

And I believe that it's cyanide that can be residual with plating operations, though it probably depends on the scale of the operation and what process is being used.

FDA requirements for food safety may be of interest:

http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/FoodCode2009/UCM188545.pdf

The notes on the use of copper and brass in an acidic environment suggests that brass mouthpieces that have been plated may be safer than those that have not been plated, but then you have to consider what chemicals are used in the plating process and to what extent any dangerous chemicals linger within or under the plating.

The question of "what is safe/unsafe" becomes clearer if you review metal toxicity charts, but you would have to play a mouthpiece for a very long time to ingest several milligrams of brass/copper/trace lead, etc.

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, "gregwier" <gregwier@...> wrote:
>
> I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as generalized notions with no supporting evidence. 
> 
> The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the plating process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these mouthpieces.  I would like to hear from more objective and professional members on this site about this topic.
>

I would like to raise another issue. Domestic brass mouthpieces are made
with significant amount of lead 2.5% or 3% - Otto Link  for example so
plating is very good idea.

On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 3:18 PM, Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo.com> wrote:

>
>
>
> There's brass and there's brass -- the 'lead-free' brass for plumbing isn't
> the same as the >3% leaded brass for machining. On the one hand I wouldn't
> be to concerned in general, but China is pretty much unregulated when it
> comes to these things. An obviously bad design from an unknown seller, I
> wouldn't be altogether surprised if it were neither brass nor gold plated.
> If it turns out to be both, I'm not worrying about the health issue.
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>,
> " STEVE GOODSON" <saxgourmet@...> wrote:
> >
> > As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
> > mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy
> any
> > blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in New
> > Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese
> blanks
> > is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
> >
> >
> > There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
> > haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply
> not
> > an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
> > That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
> > poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at
> the
> > plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're
> usually
> > brass.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _____
> >
> > From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:
> MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>]
> > On Behalf Of gregwier
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
> > To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>
> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured
> > mouthpieces
>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by
> > dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
> > Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
> > generalized notions with no supporting evidence.
> >
> > The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the
> plating
> > process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
> > mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
> > members on this site about this topic.
> >
>
>  
>

there's  nothing wrong with with being cautious...just because you're
paranoid doesn't mean that they really aren't out to get you!
 
 

  _____  

From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of ez_mpc
Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 3:04 PM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese
manfactured mouthpieces


  



The only sort of evidence worth paying attention to would be to have an
independent laboratory do chemical composition analysis of the substrate as
well as the plating layer(s). And when I say "independent", I mean
undisputable testing which is arranged and paid for by a completely
independent entity - not the manufacturer or anyone associated with the sale
of the product being tested.

Until chemical composition analyses were routinely being performed with the
results publicly available and reviewed, I see nothing wrong with people
being cautious. Given the perennial safety recalls for products made in
China, I'd say that anyone voicing concern is far from being an alarmist -
throwing another log on the bonfire, maybe...

And I believe that it's cyanide that can be residual with plating
operations, though it probably depends on the scale of the operation and
what process is being used.

FDA requirements for food safety may be of interest:

http://www.fda.
<http://www.fda.gov/downloads/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/
FoodCode2009/UCM188545.pdf>
gov/downloads/Food/FoodSafety/RetailFoodProtection/FoodCode/FoodCode2009/UCM
188545.pdf

The notes on the use of copper and brass in an acidic environment suggests
that brass mouthpieces that have been plated may be safer than those that
have not been plated, but then you have to consider what chemicals are used
in the plating process and to what extent any dangerous chemicals linger
within or under the plating.

The question of "what is safe/unsafe" becomes clearer if you review metal
toxicity charts, but you would have to play a mouthpiece for a very long
time to ingest several milligrams of brass/copper/trace lead, etc.

--- In MouthpieceWork@ <mailto:MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>
yahoogroups.com, "gregwier" <gregwier@...> wrote:
>
> I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by
dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
generalized notions with no supporting evidence. 
> 
> The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the
plating process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
members on this site about this topic.
>

I do not know anything about the composition of the brass
used with metal mouthpieces. So do you have information that states that the manufacturer
or testing has showed that your assertions are correct?

Supposition:
Moving forward, If your assertions are correct does that mean that we could
deduce that the older Otto Link mouthpieces where the plating has worn off
would place the user in a form of risk for lead poising?



________________________________
From: Sakshama Koloski <sakshama1@...>
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, 25 March, 2010 7:11:48 AM
Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese  manfactured mouthpieces

  
I would like to raise another issue. Domestic brass mouthpieces are made with significant amount of lead 2.5% or 3% - Otto Link  for example so plating is very good idea. 


On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 3:18 PM, Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com> wrote:

>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>  >
>
>>
> 
>>      
> 
>
>>There's brass and there's brass -- the 'lead-free' brass for plumbing isn't the same as the >3% leaded brass for machining.  On the one hand I wouldn't be to concerned in general, but China is pretty much unregulated when it comes to these things.  An obviously bad design from an unknown seller, I wouldn't be altogether surprised if it were neither brass nor gold plated.  If it turns out to be both, I'm not worrying about the health issue.
>
>>--- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com, " STEVE GOODSON" <saxgourmet@. ..> wrote:
>>>
>>> As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
>>> mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy any
>>> blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in New
>>> Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese blanks
>>> is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
>>> haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply not
>>> an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
>>> That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
>>> poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at the
>>> plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're usually
>>> brass.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>   _____ 
>>> 
>>> From: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com]
>>
>
>> On Behalf Of gregwier
>>> Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
>>> To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com
>>> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured
>>> mouthpieces
>
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made by
>>> dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
>>> Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
>>> generalized notions with no supporting evidence. 
>>> 
>>> The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the plating
>>> process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
>>> mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
>>> members on this site about this topic.
>>>
>
>

 


      

I called Otto Link to ask what kind of brass they are using and they told me
it is alloy XXX- I do not remember exact number I have to look trough my
mail since it was a while ago. I checked the spec for that alloy and there
it was 2.5%+- .5 lead. And yes I believe if the plating is worn off you are
poisoning yourself to some degree.


On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 5:27 PM, Craig Bumpstead <cbumpste@...>wrote:

>
>
> I do not know anything about the composition of the brass used with metal
> mouthpieces. So do you have information that states that the manufacturer or
> testing has showed that your assertions are correct?
>
> Supposition:
> Moving forward, If your assertions are correct does that mean that we could
> deduce that the older Otto Link mouthpieces where the plating has worn off
> would place the user in a form of risk for lead poising?
>
> ------------------------------
> *From:* Sakshama Koloski <sakshama1@...>
> *To:* MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> *Sent:* Thu, 25 March, 2010 7:11:48 AM
> *Subject:* Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese
> manfactured mouthpieces
>
>
>
> I would like to raise another issue. Domestic brass mouthpieces are made
> with significant amount of lead 2.5% or 3% - Otto Link  for example so
> plating is very good idea.
>
> On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 3:18 PM, Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com<frymorgan@...>
> > wrote:
>
>>
>>
>>
>> There's brass and there's brass -- the 'lead-free' brass for plumbing
>> isn't the same as the >3% leaded brass for machining. On the one hand I
>> wouldn't be to concerned in general, but China is pretty much unregulated
>> when it comes to these things. An obviously bad design from an unknown
>> seller, I wouldn't be altogether surprised if it were neither brass nor gold
>> plated. If it turns out to be both, I'm not worrying about the health issue.
>>
>> --- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com<MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>,
>> " STEVE GOODSON" <saxgourmet@. ..> wrote:
>> >
>> > As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
>> > mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy
>> any
>> > blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in
>> New
>> > Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese
>> blanks
>> > is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
>> >
>> >
>> > There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
>> > haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply
>> not
>> > an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
>> > That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
>> > poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at
>> the
>> > plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're
>> usually
>> > brass.
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > _____
>> >
>> > From: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com<MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:MouthpieceWork@
>> yahoogroups. com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>]
>> > On Behalf Of gregwier
>> > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
>> > To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>
>> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese
>> manfactured
>> > mouthpieces
>>
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made
>> by
>> > dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
>> > Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
>> > generalized notions with no supporting evidence.
>> >
>> > The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the
>> plating
>> > process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
>> > mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
>> > members on this site about this topic.
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
> 
>

I would be interested in this.  I have noticed that some of the older Links sand redder than the current ones, but I don't know from when, or what that means (aside from more copper, I guess).
 
--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, Sakshama Koloski <sakshama1@...> wrote:
>
> I called Otto Link to ask what kind of brass they are using and they told me
> it is alloy XXX- I do not remember exact number I have to look trough my
> mail since it was a while ago. I checked the spec for that alloy and there
> it was 2.5%+- .5 lead. And yes I believe if the plating is worn off you are
> poisoning yourself to some degree.
> 
> 
> On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 5:27 PM, Craig Bumpstead <cbumpste@...>wrote:
> 
> >
> >
> > I do not know anything about the composition of the brass used with metal
> > mouthpieces. So do you have information that states that the manufacturer or
> > testing has showed that your assertions are correct?
> >
> > Supposition:
> > Moving forward, If your assertions are correct does that mean that we could
> > deduce that the older Otto Link mouthpieces where the plating has worn off
> > would place the user in a form of risk for lead poising?
> >
> > ------------------------------
> > *From:* Sakshama Koloski <sakshama1@...>
> > *To:* MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> > *Sent:* Thu, 25 March, 2010 7:11:48 AM
> > *Subject:* Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese
> > manfactured mouthpieces
> >
> >
> >
> > I would like to raise another issue. Domestic brass mouthpieces are made
> > with significant amount of lead 2.5% or 3% - Otto Link  for example so
> > plating is very good idea.
> >
> > On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 3:18 PM, Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com<frymorgan@...>
> > > wrote:
> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> There's brass and there's brass -- the 'lead-free' brass for plumbing
> >> isn't the same as the >3% leaded brass for machining. On the one hand I
> >> wouldn't be to concerned in general, but China is pretty much unregulated
> >> when it comes to these things. An obviously bad design from an unknown
> >> seller, I wouldn't be altogether surprised if it were neither brass nor gold
> >> plated. If it turns out to be both, I'm not worrying about the health issue.
> >>
> >> --- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com<MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>,
> >> " STEVE GOODSON" <saxgourmet@ ..> wrote:
> >> >
> >> > As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
> >> > mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy
> >> any
> >> > blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in
> >> New
> >> > Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese
> >> blanks
> >> > is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
> >> > haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply
> >> not
> >> > an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
> >> > That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
> >> > poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at
> >> the
> >> > plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're
> >> usually
> >> > brass.
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _____
> >> >
> >> > From: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com<MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:MouthpieceWork@
> >> yahoogroups. com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>]
> >> > On Behalf Of gregwier
> >> > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
> >> > To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>
> >> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese
> >> manfactured
> >> > mouthpieces
> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made
> >> by
> >> > dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
> >> > Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
> >> > generalized notions with no supporting evidence.
> >> >
> >> > The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the
> >> plating
> >> > process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
> >> > mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
> >> > members on this site about this topic.
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
> > 
> >
>

Warning: This post doesn't further the craft of Mouthpiece Work.

As a Jr. High student I would rub mercury on dimes and pennies until they were nice and shiny. I even rode a bicycle without a helmet!

I expect to die any minute. Don't understand how I ever reached 60 years old.

Tom De Winter


  ----- Original Messages ----- 

  deleted
   
  

I think that's just the copper leaching out of the brass....it tends to happen with older brass mouthpieces

Steve Goodson
Saxophone Guru & Visionary
"SENT FROM MY TEMPORARY
  EMAIL ACCOUNT"
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Morgan 
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 7:01 PM
  Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces


    

  I would be interested in this. I have noticed that some of the older Links sand redder than the current ones, but I don't know from when, or what that means (aside from more copper, I guess).

  --- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, Sakshama Koloski <sakshama1@...> wrote:
  >
  > I called Otto Link to ask what kind of brass they are using and they told me
  > it is alloy XXX- I do not remember exact number I have to look trough my
  > mail since it was a while ago. I checked the spec for that alloy and there
  > it was 2.5%+- .5 lead. And yes I believe if the plating is worn off you are
  > poisoning yourself to some degree.
  > 
  > 
  > On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 5:27 PM, Craig Bumpstead <cbumpste@...>wrote:
  > 
  > >
  > >
  > > I do not know anything about the composition of the brass used with metal
  > > mouthpieces. So do you have information that states that the manufacturer or
  > > testing has showed that your assertions are correct?
  > >
  > > Supposition:
  > > Moving forward, If your assertions are correct does that mean that we could
  > > deduce that the older Otto Link mouthpieces where the plating has worn off
  > > would place the user in a form of risk for lead poising?
  > >
  > > ------------------------------
  > > *From:* Sakshama Koloski <sakshama1@...>
  > > *To:* MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
  > > *Sent:* Thu, 25 March, 2010 7:11:48 AM
  > > *Subject:* Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese
  > > manfactured mouthpieces
  > >
  > >
  > >
  > > I would like to raise another issue. Domestic brass mouthpieces are made
  > > with significant amount of lead 2.5% or 3% - Otto Link for example so
  > > plating is very good idea.
  > >
  > > On Wed, Mar 24, 2010 at 3:18 PM, Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com<frymorgan@...>
  > > > wrote:
  > >
  > >>
  > >>
  > >>
  > >> There's brass and there's brass -- the 'lead-free' brass for plumbing
  > >> isn't the same as the >3% leaded brass for machining. On the one hand I
  > >> wouldn't be to concerned in general, but China is pretty much unregulated
  > >> when it comes to these things. An obviously bad design from an unknown
  > >> seller, I wouldn't be altogether surprised if it were neither brass nor gold
  > >> plated. If it turns out to be both, I'm not worrying about the health issue.
  > >>
  > >> --- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com<MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>,
  > >> " STEVE GOODSON" <saxgourmet@ ..> wrote:
  > >> >
  > >> > As a matter of full disclosure, my company Saxgourmet Products buys some
  > >> > mouthpiece blanks in China (and also Taiwan and the USA). We do NOT buy
  > >> any
  > >> > blanks from ANY source that are plated. All plating is done either in
  > >> New
  > >> > Orleans or Phoenix, Az. The brass used in the Chinese and Taiwanese
  > >> blanks
  > >> > is sourced in Japan. The hard rubber we use is sourced in the USA.
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> > There's a reason they call it the Saxophone Misinformation Site. They
  > >> > haven't a clue what they are talking about. Arsenic poisoning is simply
  > >> not
  > >> > an issue in the musical instrument industry in China or anywhere else.
  > >> > That's just not the way the plating process works. Neither is brass
  > >> > poisoning, also referenced on the Saxophone Misinformation Site. Look at
  > >> the
  > >> > plumbing fixtures that deliver drinking water to your home. They're
  > >> usually
  > >> > brass.
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> > _____
  > >> >
  > >> > From: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com<MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>[mailto:MouthpieceWork@
  > >> yahoogroups. com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>]
  > >> > On Behalf Of gregwier
  > >> > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 8:20 AM
  > >> > To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com <MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com>
  > >> > Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Possible heath hazards from Chinese
  > >> manfactured
  > >> > mouthpieces
  > >>
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> >
  > >> > I was perusing a number of possibly baseless comments and remarks made
  > >> by
  > >> > dominating "members" of the saxophone misinfo site regarding toxicity of
  > >> > Chinese manufactured metal mouthpieces. The remarks were presented as
  > >> > generalized notions with no supporting evidence.
  > >> >
  > >> > The two possibly geniune concerns could be the use of arsenic in the
  > >> plating
  > >> > process and health hazards due to the quality of the brass in these
  > >> > mouthpieces. I would like to hear from more objective and professional
  > >> > members on this site about this topic.
  > >> >
  > >>
  > >>
  > >
  > >
  > > 
  > >
  >



  

Most mouthpiece replaters will have you remove the biteplate or any added baffle as a precaution against cyanide taking up residence in the cracks.  Baffle additions should be made after the plating process.

I dont think Cyanide is allowed in the US for plating anymore.  Or, it is so heavily regulated by OSHA that most now choose plating processes that do not use it.




________________________________
From: gregwier <gregwier@...>
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thu, March 25, 2010 9:08:31 AM
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces

Most mouthpiece replaters will have you remove the biteplate or any added baffle as a precaution against cyanide taking up residence in the cracks. Baffle additions should be made after the plating process.





      

To comply with the current OSHA and EPA regulations (not to mention local regulations) the average shop would have to spend around $100,000. Plating itself is really not rocket science (the trick is in the preparation of the surface to be plated) but the onerous regulations keep many people out of the business, at least on a commercial basis. You can get pretty acceptable results with a high quality brush plater (not a cheap one, but a commercial one. BIG difference!), which is what we use at our shop for touch ups. I would think the average amateur refacer would be happy with the results you get with this type equipment. A good source is Rio Grande Tools. I also understand that Carswell Plating has some "home" kits, but I have not used their products, so I have no opinion about them, good or bad.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Keith Bradbury 
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 8:19 AM
  Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces


    

  I dont think Cyanide is allowed in the US for plating anymore.  Or, it is so heavily regulated by OSHA that most now choose plating processes that do not use it.





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  From: gregwier <gregwier@...>
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
  Sent: Thu, March 25, 2010 9:08:31 AM
  Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces

  Most mouthpiece replaters will have you remove the biteplate or any added baffle as a precaution against cyanide taking up residence in the cracks. Baffle additions should be made after the plating process.






  

I used Casswell's Silver Brush Plating kit to silverplate a key I'd repaired on a 1920's Martin. The part quickly went from bare brass to silver. The current must have been a little high for this job as the silver went on black. However, it took almost no effort to polish it out and match the rest of the keywork. I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Tom De Winter
 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: STEVE GOODSON 
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 4:13 PM
  Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces


    

  To comply with the current OSHA and EPA regulations (not to mention local regulations) the average shop would have to spend around $100,000. Plating itself is really not rocket science (the trick is in the preparation of the surface to be plated) but the onerous regulations keep many people out of the business, at least on a commercial basis. You can get pretty acceptable results with a high quality brush plater (not a cheap one, but a commercial one. BIG difference!), which is what we use at our shop for touch ups. I would think the average amateur refacer would be happy with the results you get with this type equipment. A good source is Rio Grande Tools. I also understand that Carswell Plating has some "home" kits, but I have not used their products, so I have no opinion about them, good or bad.

    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: Keith Bradbury 
    To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
    Sent: Thursday, March 25, 2010 8:19 AM
    Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces


      

    I dont think Cyanide is allowed in the US for plating anymore.  Or, it is so heavily regulated by OSHA that most now choose plating processes that do not use it.





----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    From: gregwier <gregwier@...>
    To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
    Sent: Thu, March 25, 2010 9:08:31 AM
    Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Possible heath hazards from Chinese manfactured mouthpieces

    Most mouthpiece replaters will have you remove the biteplate or any added baffle as a precaution against cyanide taking up residence in the cracks. Baffle additions should be made after the plating process.