Chemicals in Niterider bike light harmful?

[Librarygirl]

I just bought a Niterider MiNewt Mini-USB bike light today. Getting sick of rushing to get my ride in before the daylight fades (winter here in Aus).

Anyway, I was reading the back of the pack when I got it home, and discovered this warning on the bottom:

This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Freaked me out a little bit! I mean, I'm not exactly washing my hands all the time when I'm on a ride, and I'm usually drinking and sometimes eating at some stage during.

Do any of you know anything about the safety of this product? Perhaps you might have purchased one of their products and encountered the same thing?

I don't know whether I should maybe return it or not.

Your advice would be much appreciated.

Linda.

[indysteel]

The lawyer in me assumes that the warning is required in California in an abundance of caution. Short of the battery exploding or leaking, I'm not sure I'd be all that concerned--and you'd presumably have that same concern with any rechargeable Li ion light. If there's a chemist or chemical engineer among us that can provide additional information on the warning, I'd be interested to know.

[Owlie]

My guess is that whatever lead is in there is in the solder used for the LED bulbs. There may be some fun stuff in the battery, but provided you're not taking the whole thing apart and licking it, there really shouldn't be a problem.

[indysteel]

but provided you're not taking the whole thing apart and licking it, there really shouldn't be a problem.

This made me LOL!

[malkin]

Someone in California probably fed the thing to a baby and was dismayed by the results.

[KatieJean]

Ha ha! I live in California. You literally cannot walk into a grocery store without seeing that warning in the window. Every single thing that may contain lead (like soldering) has to have that warning in CA. No one pays any attention to it whatsoever. Don't worry.

[PamNY]

I disregard any warning which contains the words "known to the state of California."

[smilingcat]

I wouldn't worry about it. There is a new standard for electronics whereby law requires the use of lead free solder. Lead free solder complies with RoHS. RoHS standard was created in EU and not in California. California just followed suit.

I don't think nightrider uses lead acid battery. That would be really dumb. They most likely use NiMH or Li-ion or Li phosphate battery.

If there is any lead in the setup it would be in solder.

The notice probably is there only to keep corporate legal counsel happy.

[Librarygirl]

Thanks to all for your reassurance. My mind is much eased about it now.

And yes, a couple of your replies did make me laugh too!

Cheers,

Linda.

[Bike Chick]

I chuckled too Linda!