Perhaps the final word on using zinc coated metals in barbecue. Two
commentary's on the subject as discussed on SPTSB~bbq List.


"Zinc fever or 'Metal Fume Fever' is caused by inhaling zinc oxide, not
metallic zinc, vapors. Zinc oxide forms when zinc boils (not melts)
which occurs at 907 degrees Celsius which is 1665 degrees Fahrenheit -
much hotter than most any pit temperature. This temperature is often
reached in welding which is the environment where the disease most often
occurs. Additionally, it usually takes several hours of exposure within
fairly close proximity to the welding to get the disease. It usually
goes away in a few days. I think it is HIGHLY unlikely anyone would
contract the disease during BBQing using galvanized metal. Also, the
disease occurs only on inhalation of the zinc oxide, it is not dangerous
(in small quantities) when consumed. You can find out a lot about this
by going to

http://hazmap.nlm.nih.gov/

choosing 'By type of agents', choosing 'metals', choosing 'Metals,
inorganic compounds', and then choosing 'zinc oxide'."

AND,

"The discussion on zinc and its oxide needs a little clarification. It is
not the gas from melting zinc that is hazardous. We don't cook that hot.
But galvanized metals are coated in zinc. The surface layer is oxidized
by O2 as well as CO2. That is why galvanization slows corrosion of the
underlying metal.

BUT... the zinc oxide and zinc carbonate layer will contaminate your food.

"It is unsafe to use any galvanized container for food preparation or
storage. Zinc can migrate from the container into your food and can be
toxic."

Barbara Willenberg, Nutritional Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia.

Fron the zinc carbonate MSDS-

"Toxicology;

May be harmful by inhalation, ingestion or through skin contact."

Especially note this from the zinc oxide MSDS sheet-

"Repeated exposures to zinc oxide by skin contact have resulted in
papular-pustular skin eruptions in the axilla, inner thigh, inner arm,
scrotum and pubic areas [ACGIH 1991].""

--
Mike Willsey (Piedmont)
The Practical Bar B Q'r at,
http://groups.msn.com/ThePracticalBarBQr/_whatsnew.msnw