Is beveled glass safe? a lead safety study

Written by John in Stained Glass,Tabletops

Polished beveled table base

My customer was delighted with her purchase of a glass table with a unique beveled glass base but, with a small child in the house, she was concerned that the table might be unsafe. Her worry was mainly the possibility of lead poisoning so she reached out to the experts at Artistry in Glass for advice.

From her excellent images, we figured out that the metal came was brass rather than lead and so we were able to reassure our customer that the danger of lead poisoning was very low. We further assisted her by recommending that the heavy top should be attached to the base to prevent the 1/2” thick glass from toppling over with dangerous results.

Customer’s request to Artistry in Glass

“I’m writing today after reading your article online about leaded glass toxicity. It is my hope that you would be kind enough to help me understand the risks a little better. I’m a Mom to a 9-year-old and three dogs. I found a beautiful dining table online at a local thrift store that I’ve fallen in love with. It’s being sold as ‘leaded vintage’. I wasn’t aware of the issues surrounding owning a piece of leaded furniture poses. I thought it was more of a risk during the manufacturing process, so now I’m worried about having the table delivered and possibly harming my family.”
“I’m not concerned about my daughter, 9 licking the table base but I am a little concerned that the tabletop being something we all would all touch during meals and maybe the top was also leaded glass? My main concern is that my dogs would lick the base where the glass is set into the decorative formation and they would become sick and then we would become sick after we kiss their little faces or they would lick ours. Am I overthinking this or is this a real hazard/concern and I would be wise to NOT bring this table into my home?”

“Here are pictures the table in question if you’re kind enough to shed some light on this particular situation. I’d be so grateful.”

Table base made from beveled glass in brass came
Close examination of the base shows that the metal “came” is brass rather than lead. Notice the luxurious look of the extra thick (3/8″) glass with the 45-degree bevels. (Most bevels these days are made on 1/4″ thick glass).
Bevel glass base for table
Original table, purchased on Craig’s list, features a 1/2″ thick beveled glass top on the ornamental beveled glass base.

The danger of lead in the home

With over 35 years of experience in the manufacture and repair of leaded, stained, and beveled glass, Artistry in Glass is very knowledgeable in all fields of glass safety. In particular, we have written informative posts on glass tabletops, on the potential danger of leaded, stained glass in the home, and on the danger of lead crystal glassware.

According to the CDC: exposure to lead can seriously harm a child’s health and cause serious adverse effects such as:

  • Damage to the brain and nervous system
  • Slowed growth and development
  • Learning and behavior problems
  • Hearing and speech problems.

Lead in households has been especially dangerous in lead pipes (remember Flint, MI) and in lead-based paints. It is less dangerous in stained glass windows.

To summarize our conclusions: the danger of lead in stained glass is most serious for the glass fabricator who may inhale lead fumes while soldering. It is less dangerous once the stained glass is installed in the home as long as children are not able to lick the lead or ingest dust that may fall from poorly maintained leaded glass.

In view of these facts, it is highly appropriate for a conscientious parent to be concerned about the dangers of lead to their children.

Response from John Wakefield of Artistry in Glass

“First of all – you have a beautiful and unique piece of furniture that will NOT endanger your family or pets in any way. The top is made from regular 1/2” thick “plate” glass with a nice, 1″ wide, beveled edge. This tabletop glass has no lead content.” (Follow this link to learn about beveling.)

“As far as the base is concerned: you are correct that the main danger of lead toxicity occurs during manufacture when workers can inhale lead fumes from the soldering process.”

“Your beautiful base is made from beveled glass in brass came (from the photos, I am pretty sure it is brass but it is a little tarnished – am I correct?). In any case, it is not lead – so you are extra safe.”

“For maintenance, protection, and to make your table base sparkle, we recommend polishing it with a special stained glass polish like this one:”

E.J. Wheaton Co. Glass Wax, Polishes and Protects Windows, Mirrors and Metal Surfaces, Dries Chalk White, Easy to Apply and to Remove, Made in the USA


A safety concern – the top may topple over!

“One significant safety concern is that the top could possibly tilt and fall off because the overhang is large. I recommend gluing the top to the base using clear silicone. Squeeze a thin silicone bead along the center of the brass top and, with a helper, place the tabletop down onto the silicone.”

Octagonal base of beveled glass with brass facing
Top view of table base sowing application of a thin bead of clear silicone (right) recommended to secure glass top
Marking the center of a glass tabletop
Quick tip for centering the tabletop. Mark the position of the base with masking tape before gluing.


“Important tip – use masking tape on top of the glass to indicate the center and position of the top exactly. This way, with a helper, you can place the tabletop precisely in the right position so the silicone does not smear. If this is done correctly, with the use of just the right amount of clear silicone, the adhesive will be almost invisible. Leave undisturbed overnight to set up.”

A happy outcome!

Our customer used the recommended stained glass polish to produce the stunning outcome captured in the image below. We confidently expect Lady Gaga to be seen sauntering nonchalantly into this stylish Florida home!

Polished beveled table base
Polished, beveled glass reflects and refracts sunlight in this elegant Florida residence

Our customer expresses her gratitude

“THANK YOU for being so kind and helpful! I appreciate it so much! Yes – it looks like aged brass so I’m am soooo happy it’s not a health hazard! “

and is good enough to give us a 5-star Google testimonial to thank us for the advice.

Safety tip

Glass insider tip

Learn about the came or channel used in stained glass.

What is “came” in the manufacture of stained glass?

H & U-shaped came or channel
Channel, known as came in the stained glass business, is either H & U-shaped

Came is the name for the “H” or “U” shaped channel used to construct leaded glass. It comes from the Latin “Cannae” for reeds because of the original method of manufacture. Dried and whittled stacks of reeds were packed together in elongated containers and molten lead was poured on top. When the organic material burned out the remaining solidified lead is in the form of sticks with a roughly H-shaped profile.

"H"-shaped lead or zinc came.
Stained glass enclosed in H-shaped metal came

With the advent of the industrial revolution, the manufacturing of came was done by the extrusion process and alternative metals could be used. Zinc (used extensively by Frank Lloyd Wright for his Prairie-style windows), brass, or even copper became available with the advantages of being much stronger than lead.

What are the dangers of glass in the home?

Insider safety tip

Glass is a wonderful material that offers numerous practical and esthetic benefits in interior design, BUT it is essential to take great care to safeguard your family against possible harm. Remember – always consult a professional if in any doubt: broken glass can be dangerous, life-threatening, or even deadly and lead is poisonous. Artistry-in-Glass is happy to provide guidance but we cannot be held liable for any actions taken as a result of advice given on this website.

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John

I was an exploration geologist and University Professor working in Botswana, Zambia, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Portugal, and other countries before opening Artistry in Glass in 1986. In my more than 35 years of experience, I have brought my technical abilities as a scientist to the trade of glasswork. During this time I have become an industry expert in glass and glass-related skills. Watch out for special insider tips developed from my detailed knowledge of the glass business.

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