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can chlorine eat through sealed lead pouches?

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
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seaflower

Well-Known Member
May 13, 2013
38
6
48
hello community,

maybe someone can shed light on this.

I'm using a weight belt with soft cordura pouches filled with lead shot.
Normally, those are securely sealed, so nothing can leak/seep out, but I'm a lot in chlorinated water, and I know chlorine eventually eats through all fabrics.
I'm worried the pouches might get eaten through by the chemical and then leak toxic lead.
Anyone knows if this is a thing? Or an estimate how much time it would be safe to use before having to exchange the pouches for new ones?

I asked the seller, but he didn't respond. Probably doesn't know either :p
I have a belt with solid weights just in case, but those really do hurt after a while as they're inflexible.
 
"Leak toxic lead", are you a millennial by any chance? Where do stand on lead flashing or the lead on church/cathedral roofs? Or the lead water mains that my father-in- law insists are still in use in many parts of the UK.

Most lead dive weights are just uncovered moulded lead, and not a problem in normal use. The packs you use (and I use in my weight vest) are likely only intended to hold the lead shot securely rather than hermetically. Chlorine does tend to rot things and spilling lead shot, esp. in a pool would be messy and wasteful. If that is your concern, perhaps you should consider using moulded weights? Not sure how lead reacts with chlorine (any chemists out there?). But, as long as you are not planning to ingest the lead somehow, I don't see a problem.

Lead was used for water pipes from Roman times until quite recently (and perhaps still is - see above). Not ideal but apparently not that bad either.
 
BTW Wiki says lead chloride is only poorly soluble in water.
 
Mr X. - Water from lead pipes is indeed a hazard - particularly to small children. Studies have shown exposure to lead can lead to impaired metal function and nervous system disorders.
 
Indeed, when ingested. That's why lead house paints have been banned for the last approx. 50 years and lead in petrol (esp.4*) for only slightly less time. BTW my father - in- law reckons lead paints were brilliant, much better than modern paints, except for the toxicity.
 
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