Lead exposure may not be as common as it used to be, but it is still a risk in many industries.

According to WorkCover Queensland, lead exposure can lead to a number of adverse health effects, including muscle pain, headaches, nausea and vomiting, fatigue and irritability. In children, the effects can be devastating, and include learning disabilities, behavioural problems and impaired growth.

Many people don’t realise how many products and materials used in construction may contain lead. Regular exposure to materials containing lead has the potential to cause ongoing health issues for workers and anyone else who comes into contact with the materials on an ongoing basis. It’s important for suppliers to ensure that any construction materials they provide are lead free and comply with Australian regulations.

One unexpected product where lead can be found is duct tape. Duct Tape is frequently used in the construction and mining industries, and even by households. Lead in duct tape can pose a real risk, especially when you consider that the tape is used in so many ways, and that most people use their bare hands or even their teeth to tear it off.

How can you ensure you are supplying lead free duct tape?

When you are ordering duct tape, it’s important to be sure that it doesn’t contain any lead that could be harmful to your end users. The only way to be truly confident that there is no lead in your duct tape is to purchase tape that is Risk of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) compliant. This means it has been tested and is certified safe.

Unfortunately there are some suppliers out there who will try to sell you duct tape that contains lead and therefore doesn’t comply with ROHS certification. This is why it is always a good idea to check with your supplier and make sure any duct tape you stock is lead free and/or ROHS certified.

There are some suppliers and importers with a tendency to leave out the finer details of the contents of their duct tape, either through lack of understanding of the potential for harm, or because they are deliberately trying to capitalise on substandard products.

So where can I find lead free duct tape?

There is no need to compromise on safety or the standard of your products. At CCI Supplies, we can supply you with duct tape that is ROHS compliant and extremely high quality at the same time.

This means it is completely free of Lead(Pb), and also has no trace of other harmful compounds such as Mercury(Hg), Cadmium(Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB’s) or Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE’s).

Safety doesn’t have to mean lower quality either – our duct tape has excellent tensile strength, elongation, tack and adhesion.

If you are not sure whether the duct tape you are selling is lead free and ROHS certified, it’s a good idea to check with your supplier or importer. Don’t assume that your duct tape is going to be ROHS compliant – there are many products out there that fall far short of the requirements and this can have unfortunate consequences for the people who use them.

If you have any further questions – feel free to get in touch with the team at CCI Supplies.