Question 1

everyone saying that modern pencils are made of graphite,but why do they called lead pencils? how do i know if pencils are not secretly made out of lead(metal)? because i have an habit of eating pencil leads?

Accepted Answer

: When pencils were invented people that graphite was a form of lead and used the term and it has stuck. It has no lead. If you have this habit refrain from it or see a doc/ for it is not normal

Question 2

will eating slate pencil lead to cancer?

Accepted Answer

Probably not: I am not aware of a link between eating slate pencil lead and the development of cancer.

Question 3

is it common in people eating pencil leads? are there any cancer causing things in lead pencils? i have an habit of eating pencil leads and chewing wooden pencils?

Accepted Answer

: Compulsive chewing and ingestion of non-food materials is called pica (google it for more info). Pencil chewing is a common form. This particular ingestion is not likely to be harmful, if not in very large amounts. Other commonly ingested materials can be medically harmful and pica also can be associated with serious psychological conditions. Discuss this with your doctor. Good luck.

Question 4

is the graphite in pencil lead harmful because,the graphite has silica which is carcinogenic? i have an habit of eating these leads? does it leads to cancer in future?

Accepted Answer

: Duplicate question. See previous reply. This medical condition is called pica. Cancer is not likely, but other health problems are possible.

Question 5

are there any side effects if a child swallows a thin piece of automatic pencil lead?

Accepted Answer

Graphite: No. Pencil "lead" is really graphite and will pass through the GI system without adverse effect.

Question 6

i used to eat lot of pencil leads daily.what are the side effects? does it lead to cancer? what treatment should i take?

Accepted Answer

: There is no lead in pencils nowadays. It is made by graphite and clay, no toxic effect.

Question 7

i am 18. i know it may sound crazy but i am addicted to eating chalk, pencil lead, baby powder, makeup powder. nobody near me knows about this.
i really want to stop myself. how do i stop myself?

Accepted Answer

PICA: Please start with medical evaluation to determine if this is being caused by a nutritional deficiency. If you are medically cleared, the next step would be psychological assessment.

Question 8

i have a habit of eating graphite pencil leads since 1 year.i just open the wooden coating of pencil with my mouth and eat the lead inside it.by eating pencil leads,is there any problem in future like cancer?

Accepted Answer

: The "lead" of pencils is an inert material called graphite. You poop it out in your stool like other indigestible debris. I  know of no studies that looked at the long term ingestion of this material nor would I expect them to be done in the near future. Eat at your own risk.

Question 9

are any pencils or art pencils made with lead nowadays?

Accepted Answer

Not modern ones: Modern pencils do not contain lead as the "lead" of the pencil is actually a mix of finely ground graphite and clay powders. Pencil cores can also be made of charcoal.

Question 10

why nobody gets lead poisoning from pencils?

Accepted Answer

Not lead: Pencil lead is actually a non toxic material called graphite.

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Doctor answers about:

Ill effects of eating pencil lead

A member asked:

Everyone saying that modern pencils are made of graphite,but why do they called lead pencils? how do i know if pencils are not secretly made out of lead(metal)? because i have an habit of eating pencil leads?

A member asked:

Will eating slate pencil lead to cancer?

A member asked:

Is it common in people eating pencil leads? are there any cancer causing things in lead pencils? i have an habit of eating pencil leads and chewing wooden pencils?

A member asked:

Is the graphite in pencil lead harmful because,the graphite has silica which is carcinogenic? i have an habit of eating these leads? does it leads to cancer in future?

A member asked:

Are there any side effects if a child swallows a thin piece of automatic pencil lead?

A member asked:

I used to eat lot of pencil leads daily.what are the side effects? does it lead to cancer? what treatment should i take?

A member asked:

I am 18. i know it may sound crazy but i am addicted to eating chalk, pencil lead, baby powder, makeup powder. nobody near me knows about this. i really want to stop myself. how do i stop myself?

A member asked:

I have a habit of eating graphite pencil leads since 1 year.i just open the wooden coating of pencil with my mouth and eat the lead inside it.by eating pencil leads,is there any problem in future like cancer?

A member asked:

Are any pencils or art pencils made with lead nowadays?

A member asked:

Why nobody gets lead poisoning from pencils?

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