Where can one purchase lead shot for speakers?

Bill, Please do not use lead. Every couple of months a new thread gets started on lead fill and people still are not getting the message----no lead.

There is already a current thread on fill for speakers and stands. http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?cspkr&1243725688&read&h12&zzlFace&&#rest

Please use sand. That should not be too hard to find in Hawaii. Of course it will have to be cleaned and dried and pick out the seaweed.

Those who are advocating safe handling of lead shot (gloves and dust mask) are ignoring all the other problems with lead. Those being the environmental consequences of manufacturing and disposal.

The EU and US have passed strict regulations to get minor amounts of toxic materials out of electronic equipment yet audiophiles selfishly insist in using it in large quantities for mass loading.

Remember when you sell the stands or speakers you should inform the buyer you contaminated them with lead. How many of you are anxious (willing) to put this in your Audiogon ad: "Warning, I contaminated these speakers/stands with lead shot"?

Any lead or lead/sand mix removed from the items must be disposed of as hazardous waste. If it was even possible to separate the lead and sand from each other, the sand would still be contaminated and a hazardous waste.

Dust masks and gloves do not solve the biggest problems. They are not the simple solution.

Fin1bxn,

Your arguments are totally irrelevant. Don't try to change the subject. We are not talking about cars.

I worked in the environmental field for 25 years controlling the release of toxic materials to the environment. The last 15 years were dedicated specifically to hazardous waste storage, treatment, and disposal issues.

What are your credentials?

I don't have to cite statistics. The regulations have already been passed and the toxic affects of lead well documented. Your arguments completely ignore all the regulations that have been passed world-wide to eliminate lead in gasoline, paint, electronics, etc. Those regulations were also designed to ultimately keep lead (and other materials) from landfills or incineration.

Since I started working in the environmental field in the early 1970's I have seen a dramatic change in attitudes from regulators, industry leaders and the public. Unfortunately some people refuse to change. We all pay the price for their stubbornness.

Fin1bxn,

You keep trying to change the subject by using irrelevant comparisons. We are not talking about eggs and milk. Do you really expect that someday lead will be on the "good" list?

I don't expect to convince you of anything. Obviously you are too enamored of your own opinion to be swayed by professionals (medical, toxicologists)and other experts. I won't continue this debate with you.

I do hope to convince others to avoid using lead and to refuse to purchase equipment that has been contaminated with lead. I think anyone with an open mind who reads the above posts will realize that the lead proponents have failed to address any of the issues I raised:

1. Environmental consequences of mining and smelting
2. Disposal of hazardous waste requirements. Whether or not you agree with them, they are the law. When lead or a lead/sand mix is removed from equipment, it becomes a hazardous waste.
3. The ultimate disposal of equipment contaminated with lead.

Final words---Don't use lead fill or buy products that have been contaminated with lead fill.

Kenyonbm,

Why is dedicating my professional career to making the world a better place "an ax to grind"? That is a very weak argument. I confess, yes it is a giant conspiracy. You forgot to include health care professionals in your list. Also include the US Government and European Union for passing laws strictly regulating the amount of toxic materials (including lead) in new electronic products.

Since you are the expert on recycling could you suggest where to recycle the lead? I looked in my local yellow pages and of the 6 scrap recyclers only one listed lead. When I called them they would not handle small, loose scrap. They did not want any part of it.

Lead is not a common item handled by scrap companies. The only common source is from lead-acid batteries but those recyclers are an entirely different species.

Mixing lead with sand is worse. Even if it could be separated, the soft lead would probably have contaminated the abrasive sand at hazardous (by EPA regulations) levels.

Spenceroo, Finding one buyer who does not care the speakers were contaminated does not mean there are not many times that number who do care and will not purchase items contaminated thereby reducing demand and the final selling price.

Steel shot and sand appears to be the best alternative. Less expensive, no (alleged) ringing, and no hazardous materials to dispose of or disclose when selling an item. There are viable options to lead. Let's use them.

Thank you to those who understood my position and realized my arguments had not been refuted or, for the most part, even addressed. You have joined the great conspiracy.