Lead is a toxic metal. But that was not always known.
In the approximate years of 1800-1850(?), maybe earlier, lead was used with a lot of products.
Napoleon's army used food bottles sealed for travel with lead around the bottle's mouth(before tin food cans were used). The soldiers were getting sick, and the sickness was finally traced to the food supply, then to the lead bottle sealant. Use of lead with food items was discontinued.
For approximately the first 10 years after it's invention, the harmonica of that era (1822-1832?) used lead reed plates. That was also discontinued. Brass reeds were used almost from the beginning of the harmonica.
Today's harmonicas use all kinds of metal alloys: aluminum combs; chrome-plated, nickel-plated, gold-plated brass covers, stainless steel covers; stainless steel reeds, stainless steel rivets, stainles steel combs; solid brass combs, solid aluminum combs, bronze reeds, bronze combs; screws of various alloys, chrome or nickel- or gold-plated slider mechanisms, metallic return slide springs, aluminum reed plates, etc.
I don't think that any of today's major harmonica manufacturers use lead as part of the harmonicas, but I could be wrong.
If they do, it would most probably be in the manufacturing process, but not in the harmonica itself. Or, in an amount so small that it wouldn't harm anyone.
I'm not a metallurgist, only a musician. Perhaps someone with more factual information could answer your concerns.
I was wondering about what metals make up a harmonica. I know brass is one. I guess my concern is the use of lead. I read that brass is an alloy of zinc and copper but some add lead to ease production. I hope that harmonica manufacturers don't use any lead. Any thoughts?
