Document ypkVqL2kkoMry14q9oXB1nmp2

olored Leads and Colored Lead Pencils l mo s t everyone has need the wood-encased pencil. A of "colored pencils* * now So-called fine-lead mechan and then--even the homeic al pencils using lead of .036 maker. Many people, editors, inch in diameter, though much draftsmen, computers, engi more desirable from the stand neers, checkers, use them fre point of quality of the line quently, and to those to whom which they give, are, as a rule, these are a necessary part of impracticable for use with col the working equipment, prob ored leads, for they tend to ably no factor is more impor give trouble with clogging, and tant than the lasting quality of for the process of clearing out the mark made. the crushed "lead," the services Unfortunately most every one assumes that a pencil mark with almost any kind of pencil of an expert may be required, or the pencil may even be ruined beyond repair. is quite permanent. The facts Indelible Pencils a Hazard are that traces made with colored pencil leads are often impermanent, and the so-called indelible pencil (often used be cause of its supposedly greater permanence than black lead) Ay be one of the most "dellble," as subsequent listings will show. Black "lead" pen cils make marks that are really permanent, except that wear and rubbing of documents may cause the traces of graphite to be lost by being loosened and rubbed off the surface of the paper. Some "indelible** pencils were also tested. The con sumer should remember that the dye of this kind of pencil is poisonous,xbut in varying de grees : Black' is reported to be the most harmful, followed by violet, blue, brown, red, yellow, and green in order of decreas ing toxicity. By all means keep these pencils out of the hands of children at all times. If and when they must be used by adults, take care never to put them into the mouth or to permit them to touch any skin In the test recently made by abrasion. By all means guard Consumers* Research, marks against any accident in which made by colored leads for me the point could puncture the chanical pencils tended in every skin. This type of accident, case to give less durable writing usually involving the palm of than the regular wood-encased the hand, is so dangerous po colored lead pencils. On this tentially that it has been dis account, the mechanical pencil cussed in leading medical jour is rather ruled out for this use nals. Any wound by such a in spite of the fact that par pencil must be regarded as a ticularly with colored pencils serious matter, for the anilin (because of their need for sharp dye when introduced into the ness and for frequent resharp tissues can cause very danger ening) it affords a considerable ous cell damage with necrosis advantage in convenience over (death of tissues) and ulcera tion that may take months and even years to heal. CR's Tests The listings which follow are based entirely on the perma nence of the markings during the period of about 20 days ex posed to ordinary daylight be hind a glass window. Black leads made of graphite (plum bago) were not tested as this type of black lead gives no fad ing at all in light. Leads for mechanical pencils were round leads of standard (.046 inch) diameter except where noted. Blue Leads for Mechanical Pencils B. Intermediate All of the following brands showed slight fading. Diana No. 151 (J. S. Staedtler, Inc., New York City) Faber No. 3346 (A. W. Faber, Newark, N.J.) Longrite (Goldsmith Bros.. 77 Nassau St., New York 7, New York) Scripto (Scripto Mfg. Co., Atlanta, Ga.) The following brands showed some fading, a little more than the blue leads immediately preceding. Autopoint (Autopoint Co., Chicago) Ever-Ready S-1068 (Distributed by The American News Co.) Eversharp Red Top (Eversharp Inc., Chicago) One box, 10c. Extra thin (.036 in.). Herald Square 146-B (Distributed by F. W. Woolworth stores) C. Not Recommended Eagle T-2518 (Eagle Pencil Co., N. Y. C.) Severe fading. "Speed" Leads (Empire Pencil Co., Shelbyville, Tenn.) Extra thin (.036 (Continued on page 31) 24 CONSUMERS'RESEARCH BULLETIN AUGUST, 1945