A 36-year-old member asked:
Can you get lead poisoning from being stabbed by pencils right?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
No: Pencil lead is actually a non toxic material called graphite.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 33-year-old member asked:
If you stab yourself with a pencil will you get lead poisoning?
7 doctor answers • 16 doctors weighed in
Dr. Eldridge Burnsanswered
32 years experience
No: No. Actually pencils use graphite now and lead poisoning is not possible. However, whatever you stab could still get infected from bacteria on the end of the pencil or on your skin (that the pencil stabbed through).
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Can you get lead poisoning by getting stabbed with a pencil?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Gurmukh Singhanswered
Pathology 51 years experience
No: There is not enough lead in a pencil point to cause poisoning.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Ed Friedlander commented
Pathology 46 years experience
Once again, Dr. Singh is right. "Lead" in a pencil is actually graphite, which contains zero actual lead. I hope your stab wound was not serious.
Sep 6, 2012
A 48-year-old member asked:
Can you get lead poisoning from a pencil if your child accidently pricked himself?
2 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Danny Proffittanswered
Family Medicine 45 years experience
Absolutely NOT: Lead from a pencil is nothing but carbon (like charcoal). This is different from lead, the chemical element lead, that is used in many chemical preparatins such as paint, batteries, soldiering and the like. The chemical lead is very dangerous to your health whereas the carbon in the lead pencil is more of a tattooing and inert. Cerainly the wound from the stab or stick should be treated.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Can you get lead poisoning from any regular or artist's pencils in the u.S.?
2 doctor answers • 5 doctors weighed in
Dr. Anthony LaBarberaanswered
Pediatrics 30 years experience
No: They do not contain lead.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 47-year-old member asked:
How can I get tested for lead poisoning?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. James Fergusonanswered
Pediatrics 48 years experience
Blood tests: Blood lead levels are available through many labs. Xrays of the long bones may may reveal past lead exposure with characteristic lead lines.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Oct 15, 2018
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