Actually, I was not making a challenge.I wondered if anyone would think and then do. The steel ball bearings would probably not be much of a problem.I remember reading x-rays (chest) with my father years ago,he the chest doc, and seeing chests with lead shot in them.One was of a person who was on the bottom and had about 100 pellets; the one on top absorbed most of the blast and was dead. I asked my father about the bottom one and he said that she was somewhat ok.I also remember teaching a science class in the Norfolk area in the 60's and the vice principal brought a gallon jug of mercury to the class room. It had been donated by the navy (ours).The eighth grade students were then encouraged to dip their hands into it. One teacher(not me) even heated a beaker of mercury and had the students smell the vapors.I later taught water workers and to this day,in my office, have lead water pipes that were installed in government housing during WW II and then used until the 1990's. I have also mouth pipetted sulfuric acid many times and have used asbestos matting and powder by the many pounds bare handed and no respirator.So,,66 and still alive. Although I know that I will die,and do not belong to PETA, I am now somewhat knowlegable of risk management.Do what you will and think what you want.Things change. However, I will not be repeating my above actions.Be my guest and continue them if you wish. Bill
