With recent news and increased concern for the safety of different consumer products such as toys or art products from China, we have received an increase in inquiries regarding the potential for exposure to lead in pencils.

As mentioned on our Pencil Lead page there is no lead in the writing core of a "lead" pencil. The core is made of non-toxic graphiteⁱ and does not contain lead.

The other common concern regarding potential sources of lead in pencils is in the lacquer or paint used to finish the pencil.

The hardness of the core is often marked on the pencil -- look for a number (such as "2" "2-1/2" or "3"). The higher the number the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper. As the pencil core becomes softer (through the use of lower proportions of clay) it leaves a darker mark as it deposits more graphiteⁱ material on the paper. Softer pencils will dull faster than harder leads and require more frequent sharpening.

Just as with any other manufactured products the economics of pencil manufacturing are driven by a number of factors.

These cost drivers include:

- cost of raw materials (wood, graphiteⁱ, clay, brass, lacquer, etc.)
- cost of parts or other finished components used to assemble the pencil
- cost of transportation and handling of various materials used and of the finished product to the factory
- cost of labor and benefits for the factory workers employees
- cost of energy
- cost of supplies used to maintain eq

Third party Forest Certificationⁱ is a process by which a collection of concerned groups get together and establish agreements as to standards of forest management and then use an independent company to inspect forests to these standards.

The Story of Pencils Lesson Plan: Activity 5 - What is a Sustained Yield Forest?

Careful sustained-yield management of our forests has enabled the United States to meet our needs for wood and paper, while maintaining the forests for use by future generations.

See how Incense-cedar pencils are made.

Copyright (c) 1996 Incense Cedarⁱ Institute

We can find pencils everywhere: at school, at home, at the office, even on the golf course. Because they are so common we tend to take them for granted.

Pencils have been painted yellow ever since the 1890s.
And that bright color isn't just so you can find them on your desk more easily!

During the 1800s, the best graphiteⁱ in the world came from China. American pencil makers wanted a special way to tell people that their pencils contained Chinese graphite.

In China, the color yellow is associated with royalty and respect. American pencil manufacturers began painting their pencils bright yellow to communicate this "regal" feeling and association with China.

The Story of Pencils Lesson Plan: Activity 1 - What are pencils used for?

From authors to presidents to foot soldiers alike, people making history have made their mark with cedar pencils.

Artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci frequently sketched in pencil.

Following are just a few additional sources of information about pencils, forestry, forest products, and the forest environment:

Books to Look For In Your Public Library:
The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance by Henry Petroski Order from Amazon.com
The Colored Pencil by Bet.Borgeson Order from Amazon.com