Is getting pencil 'lead' smeared on my hands dangerous?

Question: I know pencils and mechanical pencils don't have REAL lead in it, just graphite. You see, when I write or something, my hand smears the 'lead' on my hand. I wanted to know if this is dangerous or something. I doubt it, just making sure. Thanks.

Answer: Graphite is just a form of carbon. Getting it on your hands is absolutely harmless. I've been told that you can even breathe graphite dust as I used to do where I worked and it's so light that your body just dissipates it. I do know that it's not a controlled substance like say, beryllium, which will kill you.

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