Ease My Worries About Lead?

[black hat miniatures]

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/1881/contents

also:

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2002/2676/contents/made

Wargaming figures made of metal aren't Toys so that legislation doesn't apply...

[George1863]

Are you a plant from the plastics industry? Wargames figures haven't been lead since the 19th Century. Mostly they've been an alloy of tin and pewter. Do you have a clue what you are talking about, friend?

[black hat miniatures]

Are you a plant from the plastics industry? Wargames figures haven't been lead since the 19th Century. Mostly they've been an alloy of tin and pewter. Do you have a clue what you are talking about, friend?

And you clearly don’t know either…. Wargames figures can contain lead as a component of alloy used usually 10-40%.  When prices of tin jumped several companies went back to cheaper lead based alloys. They flow better for some figures as the metal is heavier and produce a better finish - particularly for larger figures such as 54mm.

[Dags]

Mostly they've been an alloy of tin and pewter.

I'd seriously suggest googling what pewter is before making a statement like that.

[2010sunburst]

I’ve only had this with a few figures in over fifty years.  The figures that exhibited it had been kept in an air tight plastic container in my loft for a good thirty years.  Even then it was only some of the figures this stored.  I feel the air tight conditions were mostly to blame, not allowing contamination gassed off by the container to dissipate, so enhancing the effect.  Unless you keep your figures hermetically sealed with plastic and wood fibres I think you will be absolutely fine.  After all, the lead water pipes in my old house were just fine and they were over a hundred years old. 

[Tactalvanic]

Treat them with respect and common sense, use the good advice you see from members here, other places and good research online.

There are threads here and websites elsewhere giving detailed good info about lead rot, treatment and prevention, alloys used and varying qualities over the decades.

I have miniatures dating back to the 70's with variable lead content - rarely I would say as much as 40% but high amounts in the alloy is expected in some cases.

I have no rot on any that I am aware of, lucky me. None of them have come close to affecting my health.

none are from the 19th century though, the manufacturers in question are categorically 20th century in origin.