Lead compounds are used as coloring agents for numerous products. Two
cases of children with elevated blood lead concentrations encountered
by the authors suggested that pool cue chalk may serve as a source of
environmental lead. The objective of this study was to determine lead
content of various brands and colors of pool cue chalk. Atomic absorpt
ion analyses were conducted of 23 different types of pool cue chalk fo
r lead content. Three of 23 types of pool cue chalk contained more tha
n 7000 ppm (mg/kg) lead: one manufacturer's green and tangerine chalk
and another manufacturers green chalk. It was concluded that some bran
ds of pool cue chalk contain relatively large amounts of lead and coul
d contribute to childhood lead poisoning.