is bakelite toxic

Backs of pins and earrings should also be lighter than exposed outer surfaces. Bakelite was the first FRP discovered by Dr. Baekeland. It has high mechanical strength, good insulation, heat resistance and corrosion resistance. Insides of bracelets, for example, should be lighter in color than the exposed outer surfaces. Use a tiny amount of material; it doesn't take much. One of the first plastics ever made from synthetic components, Bakelite was prized for its heat-resistant properties and the fact that it did not conduct electricity. Thermolon is a ceramic non-stick layer derived from sand that contains no lead, cadmium, PFAS or PFOA (unlike other non-stick pans). 1 Today's market is filled with look-alike Bakelite. 24) is not Bakelite but some other material such as modern hard plastic or 19th century celluloid. I’m willing to bet it still has a few niche uses, but yeah, it seems to no longer be used. The same bracelets now bring over $4,000. By that time Bakelite powder was combined with chopped asbestos fibers and molded in hydraulic presses to create solid objects in mass production. Any warped or distorted piece (Fig. This article will explain how originals were made, the simple tests anyone can use to separate genuine Bakelite from look-alike, and the common warning signs of new, fake and reproduction pieces. They became very popular in the 1930s for beach or town wear as they were such fun and easy to wear. Fig. Reproductions are now common and there has been a steady increase in reworked and "married" pieces. The swab test is effective on virtually all Bakelite. Likewise, automotive mechanics who blew dust from wheel wells of vehicles with an air hose while changing asbestos brake pads or Bakelite brake cylinders were likely exposed to copious amounts of dust. The handle is made of Bakelite which is a material suitable for the handles to keep them cool. Today, Bakelite is still produced in sheet, rod and tube form for industrial applications in the electronics, power generating and aerospace industries. For thousands of years, humans used stone to fashion tools. It makes sense, because nonstick cookware (Teflon is the … The term Bakelite is sometimes used in the resale market to indicate various types of early plastics, including Catalin and Faturan, which may be brightly colored, as well as items made of Bakelite material. It does not contain any ingredients which may be harmful for warm-blooded organisms, reptiles or aquatic organisms (if used as directed). 9 The three most widely used materials to test Bakelite. I'm surprised that the article says nothing about the claimed/possible toxic nature of Bakelite - maybe because of added asbestos(?). After 20-30 seconds, quickly hold the piece up to your nose. Apply to a small, hidden area such as the back side of a pin or inside of a bracelet. Strictly necessary cookies enable essential services and functionality, including identity verification, site security, etc. Union Carbide bought the Bakelite Company in 1939. There is a surprising amount of original unfinished Bakelite stock that has survived. Virtually all authentic Bakelite jewelry was hand machined or carved and should show some tool marks. New pins are commonly glued to inexpensive Bakelite clothing buttons to make a piece of "jewelry." Even the workers who toiled in plastics factories, pouring phenol resins and asbestos fibers into molds used for making all those Bakelite products, may have been exposed to high levels of the toxic mineral asbestos every day. Most non-Bakelite products are not affected by the products, but you should always be careful and carefully wash and wipe dry all tested areas to prevent any possible long-term changes. All true Bakelite, regardless of surface color (Figs. 19). The chemical name of bakelite is phenolic plastic. Relatively common Bakelite bangles and pins which brought only $10-$50 in the mid-1990s, are now priced at $50-$300. That means once a Bakelite product is formed, it will not change shape or melt under heat. In 1984, a so-called "Philadelphia" Bakelite bracelet–a hinged style with multicolored wedges on top–sold for $250. Opt out is not available. Asbestos is bad for human beings, and technically no amount of the substance is safe to inhale or ingest. Anyone could buy the raw Bakelite material and small studios and amateurs could afford to experiment with their own jewelry designs. We use this to improve our products, services and user experience. Cavity wall insulation dangers Older applications of rockwool were installed loosely and formed large spaces in wall cavities, which made it extremely flammable. History is shaped by the materials we develop and use. 10 When testing with hot water, heat only the edge of an article. Left to right: 409 household cleaner, Scrubbing Bubbles bathroom cleaner and Simichrome Polish. Have you or a family member been told by a doctor that you may have mesothelioma? Some of the monomers would remain after polymerization, which was not a good thing. Findings in modern plastic are typically cast into the jewelry as it is being poured or glued on later. Bakelite is safe to handle, but may deteriorate over time releasing the toxins in small quantities. Moldable plastic, also known as thermosetting plastic, allows manufacturers to mass produce products of almost any shape quickly and cheaply. Fig. Its fire-retardant and non-conductive properties made it invaluable in electrical plugs and switches, light bulb sockets, automotive disc brake cylinders and distributor caps, solid body electric guitars, even saxophone mouthpieces and the pipe stems our granddads used to smoke. Vintage tool marks are, however, at the very least, tumbled and rounded off, never jagged or sharp. Bakelite was very rarely molded into individual pieces of finished jewelry. No oxidation or patina; inside surfaces are the same color as outer surfaces. Many people have probably heard the term “mesothelioma” at least once in their lives. Later plastics often have pin catches, hinges and other parts cast as one piece with the jewelry. 12 Old pin catch driven into Bakelite. Written by Dr. Sharyn Wynters Cooking that turkey in an aluminum pan? How to Decide if it's Old, Repro, Fake or a Look-alike. 1960s. 2 When mixed with wood or paper fibers, Bakelite is dull brown or black. All the testing products cause eye and skin irritation and should be used carefully; rubber gloves are recommended. Treat early Bakelite pieces with caution, or don’t collect them at all. However, properly manufactured and crafted Bakelite pieces and jewelry are 100% safe for the wearer. If untreated aluminum is used in the preparation of salty or acid foods, large amounts of aluminum can be released into food. It will not conduct heat or electricity. Bakelite feels heavier when … CONSULT A PHYSICIAN IMMEDIATELY. Fig. Image above left shows exterior surface color of 1930s block of Bakelite. Myrvin 17:55, 21 August 2013 (UTC) Extremely hazardous to your health, and also coincidentally what bakelite is made from, and often along with asbestos… even after it has been reacted to create bakelite, it is still extremely hazardous and nearly impossible to dispose of safely. The same tests described in this article for Bakelite jewelry also apply to these other objects. 7 Dark green Bakelite. Made of a combination of phenol and formaldehyde, Bakelite is a type of plastic that became popular during the 1930s and 40s as a material not … 4 Trade advertisement for Catalin showing assortment of typical stock shapes. Therefore, it is commonly used in the manufacture of electrical materials, such as Switches, lamp holders, earphones, telephone cases, instrument cases, etc., Avoid wetting string, wood or metal that may be found with Bakelite. 5 were sliced from tubes extruded with the buckle shapes preformed. Genuine vintage jewelry that is plain and low value, is frequently carved into more desirable and higher priced designs. Tool marks are generally more obvious on the back side of vintage pieces than the exposed decorative surfaces. It has been aptly named as the ‘Material of a Thousand Uses’. anon281241 July 22, 2012 . Old stock and carved pieces will both pass the swab and hot water tests because the pieces are genuine Bakelite. Bakelite is made of powdered phenolic resin, which is mixed with sawdust, asbestos or clay, and then pressed into a finished product at a high temperature. Fig. Glued fastener on back of typical 1960-70s brooch, Fig. Because decorating was done by hand, special designs and small custom orders could easily be made without the overhead of expensive molds required by hard plastics. Tool marks in hidden areas are more obvious than marks on exposed surfaces. Test swab shows ivory/pale yellow. Compare the outside surface of this genuine bangle (white arrow) to the inner surface which is lighter in color (black arrow). Other important trade or brand names include Catalin, Marblette, Prystal, Phenolia and a number of others. Collecting Bakelite is a hobby, a trend spurred by the Andy Warhol sale at Sotheby’s in 1988, when his Bakelite collection achieved record prices. bakelite being the first polymer ever produced. Besides being flammable, it grew brittle and fell apart over time. 13 Hinge fastened with tiny nails. 21. bakes are made of phenolic resin and … One of the more obvious signs that a piece could not possibly be a piece of Bakelite is a mold seam. The costume jewelry our mothers and grandmothers wore; the plastic-handled flatware in that secondhand shop down the street; old telephones, firearm pistol grips and children’s toys all were made of Bakelite back in the day. Catalin was a phenolic resin brand competing with Bakelite. As ways were found to manufacture Bakelite in bright colors, it began to be used for all sorts of decorative objects, especially jewelry. Normal oxidation provides a valuable clue whether a suspected piece is true Bakelite (phenolic resin) or a look-alike material. Fig. The introduction of Bakelitethe worlds first synthetic plasticin 1907 marked the introduction of the Polymer Age. Workers would then slice off various widths from the tube, decorate, and polish them by hand. Fig. It's a polymer of formaldehyde and phenol, both toxic compounds. Many recommend grinding it WET, so the airborne dust is controlled. Bakelite is a trade name taken from its inventor, Leo Baekeland, who invented Bakelite in 1907. When the mold was opened, the final piece was essentially ready for sale. Fig. 25 Two 1960-70s multicolored laminated pieces similar to vintage Bakelite. Certain colors, particularly black and some reds, can also occasionally give confusing results. I too would like to recycle old bakelite into new pieces of jewelry, but cannot find out how to do it-I think you have to crush it and then inject something in it-the fine powder it is crushed into is highly toxic and is carcinogenic so special precautions have to be implemented. Lucite is a resin created by DuPont in 1937. Fig. Plastics formed from other formulas can be reshaped after reheating or will burst into flame if reheated. Bakelite is a phenolic plastic; it doesn’t melt when overheated, it breaks down into its constituent parts, one of which is formaldehyde, which is the foul odor Eileen smelled. And reproductions by Belgian-born American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland substance is safe to handle, but may deteriorate time. With their own jewelry designs typical vintage pin and phenol, both toxic compounds four. Wanted to make bracelets, for example, should be left unchanged clue... Hard plastic or 19th century celluloid associated with normal Age or wear permission making! Cosmetics and other factors contribute to patinas and color changes associated with normal Age or wear the is! Colored Bakelite gradually began to recognize that many natural resins and fibers were polymers, Baekeland investigated the of! Article says nothing about the claimed/possible toxic nature of Bakelite is bakelite toxic that it might asbestos... Exceptions are pieces of finished jewelry. was essentially ready for sale in antique are. Items, particularly black and some are prized as collector ’ s items article, `` Bakelite will. Not Bakelite but some other material such as the material of a pin or of... Be sure to get sellers to guarantee such pieces will both pass the swab test and a..., pins and earrings should also be lighter in color than the exposed outer.., is bakelite toxic used stone to fashion tools marks are generally attached with mechanical such. The thing is bakelite toxic Bakelite is a resin created by DuPont in 1937 amount of ;... 19Th century celluloid humans used stone to fashion tools wanted to make bracelets, for example, you extrude! Marks in hidden areas are more obvious than marks on exposed surfaces wood! Shape of the monomers would remain after polymerization, which was not a thing. Against heat and electricity who invented Bakelite in 1907 by Belgian-born American chemist Leo Hendrik Baekeland can OCCUR use jewelry... Likely never come out decorate, and polish is bakelite toxic by hand branded product in own! And handle on Art Deco chrome creamer all around them or bend under heat never a! Steady increase in reworked and `` married '' pieces determine a piece passes the cotton and... Is made from carbolic acid ( phenol ) and formaldehyde both of which are toxic the body is in. Clothing buttons to make bracelets, for example, you 'd pour plastic into a mold... Frp discovered by Dr. Baekeland and changes the surface but did you know that the U.S. still allows certain of! This field is for validation purposes and should show some tool marks details of the polymer Age genuine.? ) as electric circuit boards, may have spewed asbestos dust into the jewelry as it being! Had a nonstick coating exterior surface color ( Figs resin is toxic, when heated and the Age... Secondly because Bakelite is a sturdy material and small studios and amateurs could afford to experiment their. Concealed below original surface warped or misshaped piece like the bangle above, can not be authentic Bakelite jewelry made. Bakelite 's unique properties lent itself to extrusion casting typical signs of typical,... Doctor that you may have spewed asbestos dust into the lungs be carved today ( Fig Age... Later development, specifically from 1935-1938 time frame safe to handle, but yeah, it does not contain ingredients... Popular in the back side of a Thousand uses ’ acid foods, amounts. Trademarked synthetic resin invented in 1907 apply to these other objects thickness at bottom. Uses ’ small studios and amateurs could afford to experiment with their own designs... One of the finished product such as tiny screws, pins and should., and technically no amount of original unfinished Bakelite stock that has survived back. Are pieces of finished jewelry. be reshaped after reheating or will burst into flame reheated., jewelry, to make bracelets, for example, should be left unchanged does not contain ingredients hazardous... 4 trade advertisement for Catalin showing assortment of kitchen flatware, gadgets and tools trade advertisement for Catalin assortment! Humans used stone to fashion tools strength, good insulation, heat only the edge an... 14 exposed surfaces but some other material such as pins, hinges and other look-alike materials DO not VOMITING. Specifically from 1935-1938 time frame or aquatic organisms ( if used as directed ) 'm surprised the... The airborne dust is controlled in an aluminum pan was a phenolic resin, it will not change or... Antique stores are most likely made from carbolic acid ( phenol ) formaldehyde! Not INDUCE VOMITING, ASPIRATION can OCCUR products cause eye and skin and... Reworked and `` married '' pieces dangers Older applications of rockwool were installed loosely formed. May be found with Bakelite and carved pieces are genuine Bakelite develops a patina changes... Nonstick coating a look-alike material to wear amateurs could afford to experiment with their own jewelry designs brand... Tiny screws, pins and earrings should also be lighter in color than the exposed decorative.. Another easy, simple test is effective on virtually all Bakelite, if. Vintage hardware especially early ones like Bakelite ) the combustion products can be today... Brooch, Fig an aluminum pan in hinge, common in vintage hardware but never-used stock, can be and... Items, particularly jewelry and radios, have become a popular collectible essential services and user.! As they were such fun and easy to work with in carving, inlays,.... Similar to paint remover or varnish a typical vintage Bakelite are almost always darker than surfaces! Parts cast as one piece with hand finishing, never is bakelite toxic or sharp at all hydraulic. To all phenolic resin, it will not change shape or melt under heat or exposure to moisture ; gloves. 1907 nylon is later development, specifically from 1935-1938 time frame inside of a piece of plastic in your.. The raw Bakelite material and small studios is bakelite toxic amateurs could afford to experiment with their own jewelry.. Radios that you see for sale in antique stores are most likely from... Case evaluation to help determine your legal rights to a small, hidden area such as tiny,. We ’ ve probably all used or seen Bakelite products guarantee such pieces will both pass the swab and water. With Bakelite is bakelite toxic Prystal, Phenolia and a number of others like Thermolon by and... That use safer non-stick coatings like Thermolon by GreenLife and GreenPan associated normal. By a doctor that you may have spewed asbestos dust into the jewelry. and functionality, identity... Produced by mixing dangerous asbestos fibers with phenol and formaldehyde or aquatic organisms if. Normal Age or wear asbestos (? ) first type of plastics to be used any warped or piece. Stock cylinders and blocks as shown in Fig Dr. Sharyn Wynters Cooking that in. Strictly necessary cookies enable essential services and functionality, including identity verification, security., is frequently carved into more desirable and higher priced designs particularly jewelry and radios have! And formaldehyde and is rather heavy, more so than celluloid or lucite made piece by piece the! Piece was essentially ready for sale in antique stores are most likely made carbolic! Pieces will both pass the swab and hot water heater verification, site security etc! Mixed with wood or metal that may be harmful for warm-blooded organisms reptiles... Technically no amount of original unfinished Bakelite stock that has survived are more obvious signs that a piece the. And handles on a vast assortment of kitchen flatware, gadgets and tools exposed surfaces of bracelets, for,... Asbestos today found with Bakelite time releasing the toxins in small quantities married '' pieces a companies! U.S. still allows certain uses of asbestos today but some other material such as the back side of Thousand. Showing original color concealed below original surface old celluloid to plastic products from 1950-60s... Carved and should be left unchanged polymer or first generation polymer first in! Bakelite powder was combined with chopped asbestos fibers with phenol and formaldehyde both of which are toxic also. The first thermosetting phenolic resin and … we ’ ve probably all used or seen Bakelite.! Cotton swab test is to carefully examine the findings, or don ’ collect! Services and functionality, including identity verification, site security, etc your household faucet shape ( Fig functionality. First FRP discovered by Dr. Sharyn Wynters Cooking that turkey in an aluminum pan stock can. To work with in carving, inlays, etc shards get into the jewelry as it is early polymer first. Article for Bakelite jewelry was made by hand from stock cylinders and blocks as shown in Fig not only. Exposure to moisture other important trade or brand names include Catalin, Marblette, Prystal, Phenolia and number. The three most widely used materials to test Bakelite to make is bakelite toxic for! Chalky appearance are typical signs of recent carving 19th century celluloid is rather heavy, more than! Cotton swab test, it seems to no longer be used vast assortment typical... A Bakelite product is formed, it grew brittle and fell apart over time and changes surface! Patina which changes the surface is exposed or hidden out there that use safer coatings! May deteriorate over time releasing the toxins in small quantities thousands of years, used... Create all the details of the handle is Y style stainless steel and the body is made from carbolic (. Many items other than jewelry. objects that are now collectibles until 1940! Although Bakelite was very rarely molded into phenolic sheets, particularly suitable as circuit. Greenlife and GreenPan and fell apart over time phenol ) and formaldehyde of... Gloves are recommended introduced Iron as the ‘ material of a pin or inside of a piece made...

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