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Can a necklace made of a lead chip be worn safely without risk of lead poisoning?
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Lead is generally only a problem if ingested, you should be able to safely wear it as long as you don't suck on it and wash your hands before eating if you've been playing with it or something.
I'm not sure about the long term low level exposure or skin contact though.
FYI, chocolate has a significant amount of lead in it, though.
I work closely with the local childhood lead poisoning prevention program and just spoke to the Nurse in that program when i saw your question.
The main concerns for lead material is ingesting or inhaling particulate matter. Any exposed lead will give off particulate matter over time especially if touched and you will get some into you if you're wearing it, its just a matter of how much.
All that said, its not a major concern if you wear it ocassionally as long as you are mindful not to hold it in your mouth or handle it too much. If you wear it every day it will build up in your bloodstream.
If you have kids, or spend any time around kids, I'd leave it in a box somewhere.
A level of 10 is considered elevated in a child under 10.
A level of 25 is considered poisoned in a child under 10.
A level of 40 is considered poisoned in an adult.
The nurse i spoke with said she'd be concerned about an adult with a level of 20 or more.
Symptoms of Lead poisoning can be very subtle and include occasional dizziness, impaired short term memory or difficulty concentrating.