Our Old Books = Poison???

Oh brother, what next? Wanted to share a link to this story that was just posted on another board I frequent. I thought the 50-Somethings would relate.
Old Books - A New Source of Lead Poisoning?

Argh. I absolutely agree that children (all of us, actually) should be safe. But some people take things to such extremes!

I suppose something about old humans will be next! Well we can just become a "Logan's Run" society.

"There is no Sanctuary... There is no Sanctuary..."

LOL WHL

The notions of books posing health hazards reminds of that bit from H.S. Thompson's intro to A Generation of Swine:

"What do you say about a generation that has been taught that rain is poison and sex is death? If making love might be fatal and if a cool spring rain on any summer afternoon can turn a crystal blue lake into a puddle of black poison scum right in front of your eyes, there is not much left except TV and relentless masturbation?"

On the other hand, lending out one's books to some of the more annoying neighborhood teenagers is an interesting idea. If the lead doesn't kill 'em, they'll be a lot smarter.

The touchstone for "A Generation of Swine" keeps coming up with "Fear and Loathing." Whole different book, of course, and mine, if one believes reports, is full of lead.

The world has gone mad. " Do not drink coffee it will kill you!/ Coffee is good for you in moderation. Do not eat bacon, /if you eat only bacon and cheese you will lose weight.. but beware of bread! Blah blah blah~

Most broadcast news outlets do a poor job reporting on medical issues, second only to their abysmal job reporting about religion.

The "tests may show" caveats get lost in what amounts to the announcer's chirpy admonitions to eat/drink/consume more/less of the item in question.

A friend refused to set foot in my house because I had orange Fiestaware (it's radioactive!). She insisted I take it to a hazmat center where it could be disposed of properly because just looking at it was like sticking your head in a CAT scan 20 times a day.

The straight skinny is that it's OK for display, just prudent not to eat from it.

radioactive? interesting :)

Was it advertised as something that would keep your food warm, or at least preserved, for generations?

The glaze was colored with depleted uranium. There's a ton of information (and misinformation) about this online.

Google "radioactive fiestaware" and you'll get about 3,000 returns.

Does this mean I'm going to have to stop eating my old books?

Next stop Fahrenheit 451 ?

Oh, no, that would release all the horrid lead into the atmosphere!! (/irony)

Booksloth, they are fine to eat if well salted.