top of page
Sylvia Rose

White Lead Toxic Beauty, Art, Ancient Production

White lead, lead(II) carbonate or PbCO₃, has a long history in art, paint and industry. It's a primary source of white for artists and in cosmetics. While at one time it's a driving factor of the economy, later consumer awareness leads to change.


White Lead Dangers

What is White Lead?


White lead is a chemical compound with the formula PbCO₃. Known chemically as lead carbonate, it appears as a fine, white powder favored for opaque qualities. In brightness it's not as vivid as some suggest. It's a slight off-white, but with good coverage.


It begins with the natural weathering of lead ore deposits. Lead (Pb) doesn't exist in elemental state. It's a by-product of silver mining. Lead is extracted from the primary lead ore, galena (PbS, lead sulfide). The rock is crushed and smelted.



Galena lead ore with gold-colored pyrite
Galena lead ore with gold-colored pyrite

Lead is further refined in a furnace made hotter by blasts of forced air from a bellows. By the time of Roman natural historian Pliny the Elder in the 1st century AD, production is on an industrial scale.


Scientific Properties


  • Chemical Composition: PbCO₃ consists of lead in a +2 oxidation state and carbonate ions.

  • Solubility: It is sparingly soluble in water but can dissolve in acidic solutions.

  • Density: White lead is denser than many other commonly used pigments, giving rich body to paints and coatings.

  • Opacity: Its high opacity makes it a good covering medium.



White lead paint powder
White lead powder

How White Lead is Made Historically


Known white lead production dates back to the 4th century BCE. The stack process is the traditional method for creating the pigment.


Historically, white lead is produced by exposing metallic lead to acid fumes created by the reaction of vinegar with either lead or lead oxide. This slow process results in the formation of lead carbonate, which is then ground into a fine powder.


The production of white lead through the "Dutch process," comes from the 16th century. In this method, lead sheets are stacked in a container with vinegar and covered with a lid.



dutch boy paint

Acetic acid vapors form lead acetate. Over time, exposure to air transforms the lead acetate into white lead through a series of chemical reactions, yielding a fine white powder.


Long before in 1st century Rome, Pliny describes how workers embed hundreds or thousands of earthenware pots containing vinegar and lead in a layer of tan bark or cow dung. The pots are specially designed to keep vinegar and lead separate but in contact through vapor.


The lead, typically coiled into a spiral, is placed inside the pot on a ledge. A lead grid loosely covers the pot, allowing carbon dioxide produced by fermentation of tan bark or dung gasses to circulate.



Cow Dung releases methane gas which acts on the lead
Cow Dung releases methane gas which acts on the lead

Each layer of pots is covered with tan, followed by another layer of pots. The heat generated by fermentation, acetic acid vapor, methane and carbon dioxide within the stack causes formation of white lead crust on the lead coils within a month.


This crust is removed, washed and ground into pigment. The process is highly perilous for workers. Romans often put criminals and incorrigible slaves to that work. Later medieval texts caution about risks of "apoplexy, epilepsy and paralysis" associated with handling lead white.


Historical Uses of White Lead


The uses of white lead evolved significantly over the centuries:

  • Art and Decoration: Renowned for covering power and durability, it's extensively used in paintings of masters like Rembrandt and Johannes Vermeer.

  • Architecture: White lead is used in architecture as a surface finish due to excellent weather resistance.



Lead White is a favorite of Dutch artist Vermeer (1632 - 1675)
Lead White is a favorite of Dutch artist Vermeer (1632 - 1675)

White Lead as a Paint Pigment


For centuries, white lead is the preference of artists and manufacturers. Its exceptional covering properties allow daring color mixtures. Due to its toxicity, white lead is now largely replaced by safer alternatives in the paint industry.


It can be had as a synthetic color, but it tends to look dull beside paint pigments developed later. For artists titanium white is the most brilliant white on the market today.


White Lead in Makeup


Historically, white lead is used in cosmetics, primarily in facial creams and powders. Women in the past seek pale complexions achievable with white lead. At first, using cosmetics containing lead can give consumers a bright white complexion and clear skin tone.



lead is toxic in makeup
Lead White is used in (vintage) makeup for a glowing complexion

However, if the white lead treatment is discontinued, the skin may darken, develop freckles, enlarged pores, melasma, premature aging, and other issues. Its use in beauty products is widespread, despite known health risks associated with lead exposure.


White lead is used in the makeup of geisha girls and Japanese performers until the 20th century, when the effects can no longer be ignored. Today the white makeup is made with such exotic ingredients as silk.



two women in white makeup

White Lead in Medicine


Not surprisingly, white lead is used in traditional medicine. Lead compounds have been prescribed for various ailments, ranging from eye infections to skin conditions. However, its toxicity can outweigh its medical benefits.


White Lead's astringent properties make it a popular choice in traditional medicine. It's used in treatments for skin conditions and as a general remedy for various ailments. However, its toxic nature means prolonged exposure can have severe health consequences.



White Lead is used to treat eye infections
White Lead is used in history to treat eye infections

Other Uses of White Lead


Beyond art, architecture, makeup, and medicine, white lead found utility in:


  • Glass Making: Its unique properties were utilized in producing lead glass.

  • Ceramics: White lead was employed in glazes to improve the finish and aesthetic appeal of ceramic wares.


Apart from its role in paints, cosmetics, and medicine, White Lead found applications in other areas such as plumbing, where it was used in pipes, and as a mordant in textile dyeing. Its versatility made it a valuable commodity despite the risks associated with its use.



pencil leads have no lead content
Pencil leads contain no lead. Graphite is "black lead" in the 16th century as people didn't know what to call it.

Dangers of White Lead


The dangers of white lead cannot be overstated. Exposure to lead can result in serious health issues, including:

  • Lead Poisoning: Acute or chronic exposure can lead to neurological damage, kidney dysfunction, and reproductive issues.

  • Environmental Contamination: Improper disposal of lead-based products poses significant ecological risks.

Due to these dangers, many countries have enacted strict regulations regarding the use of white lead, particularly in paint and consumer products.


Facts about White Lead


  1. Banned in Most Paints: White lead is banned in many countries for use in residential paints due to health concerns.

  2. Harmful to Pregnant Women: Exposure to lead has been linked to pregnancy complications, and it's particularly harmful to developing fetuses.

  3. Long Lasting in Environment: Lead has a significant half-life in soil and can persist for decades, leading to long-term environmental contamination.



white lead ore cerussite
Crystal Cerussite, a lead ore - its name comes from Latin cerussa, white lead

While White Lead has been favored for its unique properties, its toxicity poses significant risks to human health. Prolonged exposure to lead can lead to serious health issues, including neurological disorders, developmental delays, and organ damage. As a result, regulations on the use of White Lead have become increasingly stringent over the years.



Non-Fiction Books:


Fiction Books:

READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series

READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries




Recent Posts

See All
bottom of page