Yeah exposure to lead can make you...........ugh, can make you........uhhh I'll get back to you later:)

Bird, I think
Yeah bird

Another excellent use for lead is that weights of it don't scratch the aluminum. You can rest it directly on the metal without worrying about that.

Now that's relatively pure lead. I don't know about the lead that's got hardening alloys in it.

Same cautions - wash well afterwards. And the lead will leave a residue on the workbench, so be careful of that.

Dave

I was thinking of this issue while cleaning the lead from my spark plugs yesterday. I was using the cheap deal with the fabric pouch and kept noticing this odd smell. I had visions of small lead particles coming out of that pouch and into my lungs and stomach.

Never worried about it much while working on the lead counterweights.