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I have been debating whether or not to write this for a while, because I do not want to start a wave of panic in the saxophone community, but I believe the time is right to open this discussion.
As I have worked closely with a Chinese manufacturer in the past, and have owned many Chinese and a few Taiwanese horns over the past 10 years, I feel fairly well informed about the processes and conditions instruments are made under. In the past, I made a blanket assumption that products were safe, and that the processes/materials used would not be inherently harmful. But given the recent exposure of serious quality and safety issues in a variety of products, I have begun to re-examine my assumptions. And, I am very concerned.
First, and most alarming is an experience I had engraving some saxophones while I was in China. After working with the horns for several hours, I had a feeling of surface heat on my body, like a sunburn. I was indoors, and it was not hot (it was Winter), so there was no particular reason to have this overwhelming feeling, but never gave it much thought. After some research and reflection I have come to the conclusion that the brass used in those instruments may have been somewhat radioactive. China has large deposits of copper, but much of it is naturally radioactive. They also actively purchase scrap copper from Russia and other countries, some of which has radioactive materials salvaged from dismantled energy production facilities. My faith in Chinese manufacturers checking the radioactivity/safety of the brass used in their horns is not high.
Another major area of concern is plating and the use of heavy metals, especially on mouthpieces. I am doubtful that the gold alloy used to plate things has been given much if any scrutiny in terms of health affects. The same may go for all the chemicals needed to produce various other finishes on horns.
I am not trying to make alarmist statements, but I think this is an important discussion for us to have. I believe the assumption that these products are safe and well-tested is not necessarily valid anymore.
As I have worked closely with a Chinese manufacturer in the past, and have owned many Chinese and a few Taiwanese horns over the past 10 years, I feel fairly well informed about the processes and conditions instruments are made under. In the past, I made a blanket assumption that products were safe, and that the processes/materials used would not be inherently harmful. But given the recent exposure of serious quality and safety issues in a variety of products, I have begun to re-examine my assumptions. And, I am very concerned.
First, and most alarming is an experience I had engraving some saxophones while I was in China. After working with the horns for several hours, I had a feeling of surface heat on my body, like a sunburn. I was indoors, and it was not hot (it was Winter), so there was no particular reason to have this overwhelming feeling, but never gave it much thought. After some research and reflection I have come to the conclusion that the brass used in those instruments may have been somewhat radioactive. China has large deposits of copper, but much of it is naturally radioactive. They also actively purchase scrap copper from Russia and other countries, some of which has radioactive materials salvaged from dismantled energy production facilities. My faith in Chinese manufacturers checking the radioactivity/safety of the brass used in their horns is not high.
Another major area of concern is plating and the use of heavy metals, especially on mouthpieces. I am doubtful that the gold alloy used to plate things has been given much if any scrutiny in terms of health affects. The same may go for all the chemicals needed to produce various other finishes on horns.
I am not trying to make alarmist statements, but I think this is an important discussion for us to have. I believe the assumption that these products are safe and well-tested is not necessarily valid anymore.