Through my involvement against legislation that would allow non-code-compliant barricade devices to be used in schools and other public buildings, I have seen many cases where good intentions lead to unintended consequences. I recently read about a bill in Minnesota that would limit the amount of lead used in keys
Valley News Live: Local locksmiths push against Minnesota law restricting lead keys
Minn. (Valley News Live) – Local locksmiths are pushing against a Minnesota law that could dictate how you can legally purchase keys.
The keys you have to your home, car, and business most likely don’t align with Minnesota law. In 2023, lawmakers required all keys manufactured and sold in the state to have no more than .009 percent lead.
Nearly every key in use today is made from brass. There are small amounts of lead inside, making it possible to cut a key to fit a lock precisely.
Click here to continue reading about this bill, and let us know what you think in the comments.
WWYD?
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I guess I have to stop eating keys?
It seems that this is an issue with nickel silver key blanks as well, not just the traditional red brass? (If so, I only know of one lock whose keys meet the criteria, and that’s the Bowley with its stainless steel keys)
There’s a small amount of lead in brass (and nickel silver which is brass + nickel) keys. The lead improves the machineability of the material and there are no 100 percent lead-free brass alloys on the market today.
In theory, if someone held a bunch of keys in their hands for a long time the perspiration could leach out some lead which could have health impact. I’m not aware of any research on this, so we can’t say if it’s a problem or not. If it is a problem, phasing in plastic key bow might mitigate it. What we can be sure about is there is no new problem; we have been using free-machining brass to make keys for over a century.
To propose such a drastic move as eliminating a household product that’s been in use for that long- and to do it with no evidence of actual health problems caused by the product- doesn’t seem like the definition of good governance.
Hi Lloyd!
I’ve seen so many examples of this now that I’m paying attention – legislation that seems like a good idea, where nobody has actually thought it through.
– Lori