Poker Chips Will Kill You?
Apparently the past rumors of poker chips containing lead are indeed true. Although the results of testing for lead content that was performed for a Phoenix TV station could not be duplicated and the dangerous levels they reported was never confirmed; but, it has been determined that lead is present. How much is too much? How about when it creates health problems?
The public was in an uproar when lead was discovered in children's toys coming from China and the government quickly decided that any lead was too much since "safe" levels have never really been defined and government standards continue to be lowered. Unfortunately, lead monoxide, PbO, is an excellent material to mix into ceramic products, especially ones that are going through a pill press and into a sintering oven or are mixed with an epoxy. They add weight, lubricate the dies, provide color, and react at low temperatures. Sounds like an ideal constituent for a poker chip material mix.
So are the poker chips at your favorite poker room going to kill you? You're more likely to die of clogged arteries from too many potato chips; but, you can practice a bit of lead exposure safety. When handling chips always wash your hands throughly and often, especially before eating or smoking. Never put chips in your mouth and never take them home or let the kids play with them. Adolescents are much more susceptible to lead exposure than adults.
Beginning November 1st, poker rooms in California will have to post signs stating informing customers that casino chips on the premises contain lead, a metal known to cause cancer, birth defects, and other health problems. This is the results of a settlement of a lawsuit filed by the Center for Environmental Health against Gaming Partners International, previously known as Paulson Gaming, the Las Vegas based casino chip manufacturer.