Posted by Brett W. on July 15, 1999 at 22:26:16:
I was informed tonight that the plating on my mouthpice is extremely dangerous. I had it re-plated by a local gold plating company about 2 months ago, and they were shut down by the government today. The bonding agent that holds the gold (silver, or nickel) to the brass containes cyanide. The government allows 2 parts per million in the mixture, and the one used on my mouthpiece was 2000 parts per million. Apparently, with prolonged exposure to low levels of cyanide, neurological damage can result. If any of you have any knowledge about this situation, please let me know. Cyanide can be absorbed through the skin, inhaled, or ingested. All three of these are possiblities with a mouthpiece. So, as of now, I have to buy a new mouthpiece. If any of you are considering having your mouthpiece plated, I strongly reccomend that you inquire about the cyanide levels in the mixture before having it plated. Again, if anybody knows more about this than I do, please let me know what I'm missing.
Thanks so much,
Brett W.