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?

3 doctors weighed in across 2 answers

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.

Answered 4/12/2023

0 views

Thank
Dr. Andrew Seibert answered

Specializes in Gastroenterology

Pencil lead is actually a mixture of graphite and clay, which is dried. It is relatively non-harmful and will not cause cancer. good luck.

Answered 4/12/2023

0 views

Thank

Related Questions