![Breaking News - August 2022: CORELLE [Instant Brands] confirms (but downplays) the presence of Leaded glaze used for the food surface decorations of their vintage dishware.](https://i0.wp.com/tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/6-corelle-dishes.png?resize=400%2C400&ssl=1 "Breaking News - August 2022: CORELLE [Instant Brands] confirms (but downplays) the presence of Leaded glaze used for the food surface decorations of their vintage dishware.")
XRF test results for the dish pictured.
Reading #1) on the blue center of the dish
60-Second Reading
Lead (Pb): 304,000 +/- 21,000 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): 269 +/- 91 ppm
Tin (Sn): non-detect
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se): non-detect
Barium (Ba): 2,482 +/- 804 ppm
Arsenic ...
Read More about Blue and silver Franciscan Twilight pattern dish: 304,000 ppm (30%!) Lead on the blue glazed food surface of the dish.
Recent & Important Articles:
House of Antique Hardware (Portland) “Lead-Free Crystal Cabinet Knob”: 23,400 ppm Lead on the back brass components.
XRF test result for the crystal knob pictured.
Oh - the "irony"!
Reading #1) on the brass of the knob
60-second reading
Lead (Pb): 23,400 +/- 900 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): non-detect
Tin (Sn): 5,070 +/- 210 ppm
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se): non-detect ...
Read More about House of Antique Hardware (Portland) “Lead-Free Crystal Cabinet Knob”: 23,400 ppm Lead on the back brass components.
Blue and white Zylstra Serenity dish (Japan): 4,985 ppm Lead on the food surface of the dish (the blue edging.)
XRF test results for the dish pictured.
Reading #1) on the blue edge of the dish
60-Second Reading
Lead (Pb): 4,985 +/- 112 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): 12 +/- 5 ppm
Tin (Sn): 16 +/- 8 ppm
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se) non-detect
Barium (Ba): non-detect
Chromium (Cr): 915 +/- ...
Read More about Blue and white Zylstra Serenity dish (Japan): 4,985 ppm Lead on the food surface of the dish (the blue edging.)
Horse & Hound Brass Horse Knob: 26,500 ppm Lead & 401 ppm Antimony. [Check out the readings on the screw!]
Reading #1) on the brass of the horse
60-second reading
Lead (Pb): 26,500 +/- 900 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): non-detect
Tin (Sn): 5,698 +/- 220 ppm
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se): non-detect
Barium (Ba): non-detect
Chromium (Cr): non-detect
Antimony (Sb): 401 +/- 96 ppm ...
Read More about Horse & Hound Brass Horse Knob: 26,500 ppm Lead & 401 ppm Antimony. [Check out the readings on the screw!]
Modern Pyrex dish with blue polka dots: Lead-free. 51 ppm Cadmium in the blue (safe by most standards).
August 11, 2022 - Thursday
XRF test results for the modern pyrex dish pictured.
Reading #1) on the blue polka dots
60-second reading
Lead (Pb): non-detect
Cadmium (Cd): non-detect
Tin (Sn): 16 +/- 7 ppm
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se): non-detect
Barium (Ba): ...
Read More about Modern Pyrex dish with blue polka dots: Lead-free. 51 ppm Cadmium in the blue (safe by most standards).
Black glass bowl: 24 ppm Lead & 11 ppm Cadmium. Safe by all standards.
Wednesday - August 10, 2022
XRF test results for the glass bowl pictured.
60-second reading
Lead (Pb): 24 +/- 9 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): 11 +/- 5 ppm
Tin (Sn): non-detect
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se): non-detect
Barium (Ba): 280 +/- 32 ppm
Chromium (Cr): 2,079 +/- 306 ...
Read More about Black glass bowl: 24 ppm Lead & 11 ppm Cadmium. Safe by all standards.
Signature Hardware Brass Horse Knob: 41,400 ppm Lead & 1,526 ppm Cadmium & 940 ppm Antimony.
Reading #1) on the brass of the horse
60-second reading
Lead (Pb): 41,400 +/- 1,100 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): 1,526 +/- 113 ppm
Tin (Sn): 8,218 +/- 258 ppm
Mercury (Hg): non-detect
Selenium (Se): non-detect
Barium (Ba): non-detect
Chromium (Cr): non-detect
Antimony (Sb): 940 +/- ...
Read More about Signature Hardware Brass Horse Knob: 41,400 ppm Lead & 1,526 ppm Cadmium & 940 ppm Antimony.
My youngest son decided to try his hand at selling his art on t-shirts! He goes by Charlie Monster!
Monday - August 8, 2022
My 14 year old son Charlie started a shop selling his designs on t-shirts at Threadless today - here's his first shirt design (& he is working on a few more). He is just getting the hang of how to upload the artwork and that sort of thing, so if you are interested in ...
Read More about My youngest son decided to try his hand at selling his art on t-shirts! He goes by Charlie Monster!
#RIPOlivia (will update with a story at a later time).
Posted: Monday - August 8, 2022
Olivia Newton John & Tamara Rubin
Photo Taken: October 29, 2014
(At a party for environmental activists in Los Angeles, California) ...
Read More about #RIPOlivia (will update with a story at a later time).
All of the thing in my son’s room – including the organic Naturepedic mattress that my (6 foot 2 inch tall) 14-year-old son sleeps on each night [details and 15% discount code in post too!]
August 7, 2022 - Sunday
The picture above is my youngest son's bedroom. Continue reading below for links to as many of the thing in his bedroom that I could find. BTW, his bedroom is nearly 100% Lead-free! [This link discusses the one major exception - and the reason we got rid of his bedroom ...
Read More about All of the thing in my son’s room – including the organic Naturepedic mattress that my (6 foot 2 inch tall) 14-year-old son sleeps on each night [details and 15% discount code in post too!]
Another Lead Safe Mama August Cross Country Driving Tour / Adventure! Starting August 11, 2022.
August 9, 2022 Update - Tuesday
The map above is what the "Lead Safe Mama August 2022 Cross Country Tour" might look like if I visited everyone who has texted me (over the past couple of days) that they *might* be interested in a home consult (or just a fun visit). You can click the image of the ...
Read More about Another Lead Safe Mama August Cross Country Driving Tour / Adventure! Starting August 11, 2022.
Find out about (some) CPSC violations… YEARS before they happen!
Please download this graphic and share it on your social media channels!
Click the image and then drag it to your desktop. ...
Read More about Find out about (some) CPSC violations… YEARS before they happen!
Lead Safe Mama Initiated CPSC Recall for Lead Painted Baby Bottles made by NUK
Click this link for the full story
The image below is a sharable graphic. Please click the image and drag it to your desktop to share on social media and wherever else you might like to share it. Thank you!
...
Read More about Lead Safe Mama Initiated CPSC Recall for Lead Painted Baby Bottles made by NUK
Soil Sample from Chesterfield, Missouri: 22 ppm Lead (safe by all standards.)
August 4, 2022 - Thursday
XRF test results for the soil sample from Chesterfield, Missouri (pictured)
Article discussing soil hazard levels
Article discussing testing soil
Article discussing what I have done to address soil contamination in our yard
60-second test
Repeated ...
Read More about Soil Sample from Chesterfield, Missouri: 22 ppm Lead (safe by all standards.)
Final July 2022 Stats: “9th Best Month Ever” with over 101,000 unique visitors & over 300,000 unique page views! Thank you!
Tuesday - August 02, 2022
Some highlights from July 2022
9th best month ever!
"Best July Ever" too (the previous #BestJulyEver was in 2020 with 241,026 page views)
5th month of 2022 that has landed in the "Top Ten Months Of All Time"
The 9th month (ever) with over 300,000 ...
Read More about Final July 2022 Stats: “9th Best Month Ever” with over 101,000 unique visitors & over 300,000 unique page views! Thank you!
The NPR story from July (mentioning the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC) was nationally syndicated today – 8/1! Here’s the link.
August 1, 2022 - Monday
Click the image below to read the story on NPR!
...
Read More about The NPR story from July (mentioning the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC) was nationally syndicated today – 8/1! Here’s the link.
Would you like to see my personal full heavy metals panel test result? Here you go!
June 27, 2022 - Monday
Many of my readers have asked about what sort of levels my own heavy metals test might reveal — and I was curious as well [I hadn't been tested for Lead since Charlie was born — and his 14th birthday is in two weeks!]...Click the image below to see the full four-page ...
Read More about Would you like to see my personal full heavy metals panel test result? Here you go!
Now is the time to book your October 2022 Lead Safe Mama home consultation or outreach event!
June 17, 2022 - Friday
- July 11, 2022 - Update
Hello friends! Now is the time to get on the Lead Safe Mama, LLC calendar for a one-on-one home consultation or small community outreach event! I plan on booking my flights and finalizing the travel plan for October 2022 by the end of June. To ...
Read More about Now is the time to book your October 2022 Lead Safe Mama home consultation or outreach event!
The plastic Lansinoh bottles are Lead-free (unlike the glass ones). Click through for full XRF test results (trace Cadmium found in the silicone nipples).
Updated: August 4, 2022
The readings below are full XRF readings for each component of the PLASTIC Lansinoh bottles. The readings for the GLASS Lansinoh bottles (which do test positive for Lead) can be found on this link. To see all of the LeadSafeMama.com articles related to Lansinoh brand ...
Read More about The plastic Lansinoh bottles are Lead-free (unlike the glass ones). Click through for full XRF test results (trace Cadmium found in the silicone nipples).
Simplified summary of Lead Safe Mama, LLC findings for Lead-painted glass baby bottles purchased on Amazon in 2021.
This post was drafted as a summary document that could be shared directly with the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), in our efforts to request that they implement legislative change outlawing the use of Lead paint on infant feeding products and separately - that they ...
Read More about Simplified summary of Lead Safe Mama, LLC findings for Lead-painted glass baby bottles purchased on Amazon in 2021.
How to use the Lead Safe Mama website. (Video!)
Tuesday - December 8, 2020
At this point in time, this is probably the most important post I have ever published. It's a tool for YOU to help YOU (quickly!) learn how to navigate this site more efficiently.
As of this moment there are over 2,600 posts on the Lead Safe Mama blog with ...
Read More about How to use the Lead Safe Mama website. (Video!)
Have questions about Lead? Childhood Lead poisoning? Adult Lead exposure? Start Here!
Originally Posted: December 2019
Updated: Friday, January 20, 2020
Click any one of the image blocks below for more information on that subject.
This “Start Here” post is a work in progress, so please let me know if you don’t find what you are looking for. Here are the topics ...
Read More about Have questions about Lead? Childhood Lead poisoning? Adult Lead exposure? Start Here!
WHY I do the consumer goods testing I do (& WHY, unfortunately, you cannot do this at home)…
Friday - May 20, 2022
"WHY?!"
"Why do you do this consumer goods testing?"
"Why can't I do it at home?"
So - actually - that's EXACTLY why I do it! Because you cannot do this yourself at home and I want YOU to have access to reliable science-based information to help you make informed choices, ...
Read More about WHY I do the consumer goods testing I do (& WHY, unfortunately, you cannot do this at home)…
I created a new graphic for people to use to share about the concerns for Lead in vintage Corelle pieces. Please feel free to share this on social media.
May 19, 2022 - Thursday
Please feel free to use a full copy of the image below on your social media channels. If you do use it, please tag and or link the Lead Safe Mama page on the channel that you are sharing it on. Thank you! To copy the image you should be able to click on it and then ...
Read More about I created a new graphic for people to use to share about the concerns for Lead in vintage Corelle pieces. Please feel free to share this on social media.
My favorite Lead-free pans.
https://shrsl.com/3gaf6
This is the Lead Safe Mama, LLC affiliate link for Solidteknics. They are my favorite Lead-free pans (pans I use every day in my home). They are lighter weight than similar cast pots (since they are not cast - and are instead made from one piece of [seamless!] formed ...
Read More about My favorite Lead-free pans.
Please stop using vintage Pyrex glassware for cooking & serving food – it’s often painted with high-Lead paint & can test positive for Cadmium & Arsenic, too.
Please watch this ten minute video first:
Here's a short (2 min 55 second) follow up video too:
Here's the general introduction I provide on a lot of my posts, for those who may be new to (or have possibly "stumbled upon") my work - while just casually browsing, or ...
Read More about Please stop using vintage Pyrex glassware for cooking & serving food – it’s often painted with high-Lead paint & can test positive for Cadmium & Arsenic, too.
(Video) Some companies NEVER learn! Redmond BABY POWDER positive for Lead at levels that are unsafe in dust (& it IS dust!)
Please start by watching the short video I made about this product:
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing ...
Read More about (Video) Some companies NEVER learn! Redmond BABY POWDER positive for Lead at levels that are unsafe in dust (& it IS dust!)
Caraway “cookware without the chemicals” positive for 20 metals including Lead, Mercury, Cobalt & Antimony (when tested with XRF technology.)
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and she is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009, and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. She ...
Read More about Caraway “cookware without the chemicals” positive for 20 metals including Lead, Mercury, Cobalt & Antimony (when tested with XRF technology.)
Ways to support the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC
Why we do what we do here at Lead Safe Mama, LLC
YOU have a right to know what’s in the products in your home (including your paint and building materials.)
YOU have a right to make informed decisions for your family and community.
Through this work, together we can hold corporate America ...
Read More about Ways to support the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC
How soon after exposure is Lead detectable in my child’s blood? What is the “half-life” of Lead in the bloodstream? How long does Lead stay in the body?
Here's a link from the CDC with some info on this topic
A quote from the above-linked article: "Lead is cleared from the blood and soft tissues with a half-life of 1 to 2 months and more slowly from the skeleton, with a half-life of years to decades."
#1.) How soon after exposure is Lead ...
Read More about How soon after exposure is Lead detectable in my child’s blood? What is the “half-life” of Lead in the bloodstream? How long does Lead stay in the body?
I’m concerned that my child may have just inhaled potentially Leaded fireworks fumes. What should I do?
The advice below encompasses several different concerns - including:
Direct exposure to a significant amount of Fireworks smoke and fumes.
A fire in a Lead painted home near your home (including "practice burns" conducted by the local fire department)
A demolition of a home near your ...
Read More about I’m concerned that my child may have just inhaled potentially Leaded fireworks fumes. What should I do?
New website for 2021! ShopLeadSafeMama.com! No Ads, No Stories, Just Lead-free stuff!
Wednesday - May 19, 2021
I've just started working on this fun new concept (because you, my readers, asked for it!)...it's a brand new website ShopLeadSafeMama.com. It only has products from brands that I trust and whose products I have repeatedly tested and found to be Lead-free [with ...
Read More about New website for 2021! ShopLeadSafeMama.com! No Ads, No Stories, Just Lead-free stuff!
What kind of business is Lead Safe Mama, LLC?
What is Lead Safe Mama, LLC
Lead Safe Mama, LLC is a woman-owned small business that is an environmental advocacy organization focused on childhood Lead-poisoning prevention and advocating for the identification and elimination of toxicants (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, and Antimony) that are ...
Read More about What kind of business is Lead Safe Mama, LLC?
Q. I want to buy some nontoxic cookware, which pots & pans are the safest for cooking? Which pots & pans are the least toxic?
I get some version this question every.single.day!:
"Which are the least-toxic pots & pans?”
"Which pots & pans are the best?”
"Which pots and pans do you use in your home?"
"What's the best brand for nontoxic pots and pans?"
First: What to AVOID when purchasing ...
Read More about Q. I want to buy some nontoxic cookware, which pots & pans are the safest for cooking? Which pots & pans are the least toxic?
Green Pan: Lead-free (although I don’t recommend it!) Aluminum substrate tests positive for trace levels of Antimony.
January 23, 2021 - Saturday
Well! Hello there. Happy Saturday! If you have been following my blog for the past few months, you know that I purchased one of these pans for XRF testing and reporting here on the Lead Safe Mama blog. I specifically chose the pan pictured because I thought it might test ...
Read More about Green Pan: Lead-free (although I don’t recommend it!) Aluminum substrate tests positive for trace levels of Antimony.
Tamara’s Christmas Eve Interview w/ Jon Fishman, drummer of Phish & parent of a Lead-exposed child.
Published: January 9, 2021
Updated: December 26, 2021
You can watch the 3 Jon Fishman Interview videos here on this post or you can click through to the Lead Safe Mama YouTube channel.
On Christmas Eve 2020 I had a great video chat with Jon Fishman (drummer of the band Phish). In addition to just ...
Read More about Tamara’s Christmas Eve Interview w/ Jon Fishman, drummer of Phish & parent of a Lead-exposed child.
Glass milk bottles from Oregon to Maine have Lead painted markings. This example from New Hampshire tested positive for 40,400 ppm Lead!!!
Introduction to Tamara Rubin
(for those new to this website!)
Tamara Rubin lives in Portland, Oregon and is a child health advocate, author, documentary filmmaker, and mother of four sons. Her young men are now 24, 18, 15, and 12. She has won multiple national awards for her Lead-poisoning ...
Read More about Glass milk bottles from Oregon to Maine have Lead painted markings. This example from New Hampshire tested positive for 40,400 ppm Lead!!!
“Lead Free / Toxic Metals Free” Always Pan tests positive for Lead, Chromium, Titanium, Cobalt & more (14 metals) using XRF technology.
Product images below are from the manufacturer's website.
Screenshot below is from the "From Our Place" website listing for the Always Pan:
Introduction to Tamara (for those new to the site!)
Tamara Rubin lives in Portland, Oregon and is a child health advocate, author, documentary ...
Read More about “Lead Free / Toxic Metals Free” Always Pan tests positive for Lead, Chromium, Titanium, Cobalt & more (14 metals) using XRF technology.
Fisher Price recommends not letting kids play with these vintage toys (use them as decor only). They can have unsafe levels of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic & Mercury.
Click the instagram screen shots below to see them full sized and read the comments.
Introduction to Tamara (for those new to the site!)
Tamara Rubin lives in Portland, Oregon and is a child health advocate, author, documentary filmmaker, and mother of four sons. Her young men are now 24, 18, ...
Read More about Fisher Price recommends not letting kids play with these vintage toys (use them as decor only). They can have unsafe levels of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic & Mercury.
A reporter asked me this question yesterday: “Why aren’t children getting tested for Lead?” Here’s my answer (comparison to CoViD-19.)
To the reporter who interviewed me for an article today:
Your question was, "Why aren’t children getting tested (given the pervasiveness of lead exposure)?" I gave you some short answers in our call— but here’s my longer answer.
"Why aren’t children getting tested for Lead?"
Answer: ...
Read More about A reporter asked me this question yesterday: “Why aren’t children getting tested for Lead?” Here’s my answer (comparison to CoViD-19.)
Hello! I’m here to ruin Christmas for you! Do you know how toxic your Christmas decorations are?
Introduction to Tamara (for those new to the site!)
Tamara Rubin lives in Portland, Oregon and is a child health advocate, author, documentary filmmaker, and mother of four sons. Her four sons are now 24, 18, 15, and 12. She has won multiple national awards for her Lead-poisoning prevention ...
Read More about Hello! I’m here to ruin Christmas for you! Do you know how toxic your Christmas decorations are?
How much Lead is in salt? Which salt is safest to use for cooking? Is Himalayan salt safe?
If you work with (or own) a salt company and have more recent (or more accurate / more specific) test results than what is listed below, please do share that with me and I will update the post! Thank you!
A collaboration with my readers
LeadSafeMama.com is different from pretty much every ...
Read More about How much Lead is in salt? Which salt is safest to use for cooking? Is Himalayan salt safe?
Vintage dining table w/ faux-wood surface: tested positive for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Antimony! Do you have a table like this?
Introduction (for those new to this website):
Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget ...
Read More about Vintage dining table w/ faux-wood surface: tested positive for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Antimony! Do you have a table like this?
400 ml Pyrex (made in Germany) beaker painted with LEAD PAINT! 22,300 ppm Lead. 5000 ppm & up is officially “Lead paint”!
When tested with a high-precision XRF Instrument, the paint on this glass beaker was positive for an unsafe level of Lead.
Today - in the year 2020 (more than two decades in to a new century) - it is still not uncommon for modern glass products (baby bottles, water bottles, measuring cups, mixing ...
Read More about 400 ml Pyrex (made in Germany) beaker painted with LEAD PAINT! 22,300 ppm Lead. 5000 ppm & up is officially “Lead paint”!
Do you (or your grandma) have kitchen counters like this? If so they may test positive for unsafe levels of Lead.
Vintage (1970s / 1980s) faux wood vinyl countertops often have unsafe levels of Lead.
When I walk in to a home and see counters like these now - based on experience - I am almost always certain that they will test positive for Lead. This particular counter was likely from the year the home was ...
Read More about Do you (or your grandma) have kitchen counters like this? If so they may test positive for unsafe levels of Lead.
This is what a Leaded sealing dot looks like on a stainless steel water bottle. Please read the full post if you have questions.
Leaded Sealing Dots
This is what a Leaded sealing dot looks like (on the bottom of a stainless steel water bottle).
Continue reading below the image.
The image below is what these Leaded sealing dots look like on stainless steel water bottles when covered with the factory paint or ...
Read More about This is what a Leaded sealing dot looks like on a stainless steel water bottle. Please read the full post if you have questions.
“If the Lead is only on the OUTSIDE (… of my dish, measuring cup, mixing bowl, etc….) why does it matter?”
"Why is it a problem that some dishes have Lead on the OUTSIDE?"
I get some variation of this question nearly every single day:
"I don't understand — what's the problem? The Lead is only on the outside."
"Why does it matter, if the Lead does not touch the food inside the dish?"
"Does the ...
Read More about “If the Lead is only on the OUTSIDE (… of my dish, measuring cup, mixing bowl, etc….) why does it matter?”
How the Lead industry deliberately utilized systemic racism to deflect blame for poisoning generations of children.
Note:
My husband and I have been working on writing this post for a few weeks now. We have done our best to present this information in a way that gives the reader historical context and demonstrates these issues as endemic in for-profit-industry over the past century and beyond. The opinions we ...
Read More about How the Lead industry deliberately utilized systemic racism to deflect blame for poisoning generations of children.
Yes, I do phone consultations (and video conferences and video speaking engagements)!
Last updated: Friday - July 3, 2020
Do you do phone consultations, Tamara?
I get asked all the time if I do phone consultations for families (or companies, or organizations) looking for advice about keeping their homes (or businesses and environments) Lead-free [or making them at least Lead-safe]. ...
Read More about Yes, I do phone consultations (and video conferences and video speaking engagements)!
Vintage clear glass small Pyrex casserole: 866 +/- 61 ppm Arsenic. (This is the first time I have found Arsenic in one of these.)
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2020
I hadn't previously tested for / looked for Arsenic or Antimony in vintage clear glass Pyrex items. This is the first piece I have tested of vintage clear glass Pyrex where I noticed (and recorded) these two metals. I am going to do further inquiry in to this, ...
Read More about Vintage clear glass small Pyrex casserole: 866 +/- 61 ppm Arsenic. (This is the first time I have found Arsenic in one of these.)
Tamara’s Favorite Things – Duralex clear glass “Cosy” coffee mug: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Mercury-free.
These are my favorite mugs - the mugs my family uses every day in our home. I like them so much that I even bought a set for my son to get his kitchen away at college started!
XRF test results for clear glass coffee mug pictured here.
30-second test
Lead (Pb): non-detect
Cadmium (Cd): ...
Read More about Tamara’s Favorite Things – Duralex clear glass “Cosy” coffee mug: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Mercury-free.
I don’t do what I do to instill fear. I do what I do to educate, so YOU can make informed choices for your family.
Is what I report on this blog "fear-mongering"?
Yesterday an article was shared with me that mentioned me and my advocacy work. This blog post here, today - on my website, is by way of a rebuttal - addressing not only a few misconceptions articulated in that particular piece, but also ...
Read More about I don’t do what I do to instill fear. I do what I do to educate, so YOU can make informed choices for your family.
It’s not just paint! Stain can have Lead too! Interior 1905 door: 987 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 157 ppm Arsenic!
Dark stained original interior wood door
in house built in 1905 (Portland, Oregon)
The door pictured above is in my home, which is in Portland, Oregon (USA) and was built in 1905. I believe (based on their design, construction - and test results) that these are the original doors from when the ...
Read More about It’s not just paint! Stain can have Lead too! Interior 1905 door: 987 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 157 ppm Arsenic!
List of stores I won’t shop at because they recently sold things with Lead or still sell things with Lead…
Stores I will not shop at...
While it seems I have said this a million times in conversations over the past decade (+) since I started doing independent consumer goods testing, I felt it was time to finally put this in writing!
Below is a quick list of stores I will no longer regularly shop at ...
Read More about List of stores I won’t shop at because they recently sold things with Lead or still sell things with Lead…
Folks have been asking if Lead in vintage books is a real poisoning concern. Click to read my response here.
Published: January 30, 2020
Is it really a problem?
Hey friends! So many of you have been asking me this question (or some variation of this question) over the past several days:
”Is it really a problem? Especially if a kid is not eating a book?”
"Do we need to take this seriously?” ...
Read More about Folks have been asking if Lead in vintage books is a real poisoning concern. Click to read my response here.
I Live in San Francisco. My neighbors are illegally and unsafely working on a Lead painted house. Who do I call?
Published: January 9, 2020
Updated: January 13, 2020
Heya San Francisco!
My girlfriend in San Francisco just called me with this question, and I get this exact question often enough that I wanted to write this post — so I don’t have to dig for the city’s resource information (which is down ...
Read More about I Live in San Francisco. My neighbors are illegally and unsafely working on a Lead painted house. Who do I call?
Paparazzi “stone” ring: Lead-free & “Nickel-free”, as advertised…BUT: 265,300 ppm CADMIUM! Cadmium causes cancer.
Published: January 7, 2020
Introduction (for those new to this website):
Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding ...
Read More about Paparazzi “stone” ring: Lead-free & “Nickel-free”, as advertised…BUT: 265,300 ppm CADMIUM! Cadmium causes cancer.
Corelle® recommends using their pre-2005 dishes as “decorative pieces” due to concerns for high levels of Lead.
Here's a graphic you can share on social media! Click the image below and then click the share button on Facebook. [Thank you!] Continue reading below the images.
Click any of the images below for the full post about that specific dish (including the full XRF test results [& Lead levels] ...
Read More about Corelle® recommends using their pre-2005 dishes as “decorative pieces” due to concerns for high levels of Lead.
Stop using your vintage Tupperware NOW. These measuring cups are positive for 2,103 ppm Lead + 250 ppm Arsenic.
Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety and she is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. She ...
Read More about Stop using your vintage Tupperware NOW. These measuring cups are positive for 2,103 ppm Lead + 250 ppm Arsenic.
At 351,400 ppm Lead, this glass is likely the source of a boy’s mysterious poisoning. 90 ppm+ is illegal in kids’ items.
Originally posted: October 10, 2019
Updated: December 28, 2019
Several months ago, a mom who lives nearly 3,000 miles away from where I live in Portland, Oregon contacted me to see if there was any chance I could come to her home to help her. She had just learned that her 13-year-old kiddo tested ...
Read More about At 351,400 ppm Lead, this glass is likely the source of a boy’s mysterious poisoning. 90 ppm+ is illegal in kids’ items.
Vintage Corelle Butterfly Gold glass plate: 18,700 ppm Lead on the decorative pattern when tested with an XRF instrument.
Corelle brand Butterfly Gold pattern vintage (c. 1970s/ 1980s) white glass plate:
18,700 ppm Lead on the decorative pattern when tested with an XRF instrument.
Originally published January 25, 2019
Updated December 1, 2019
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a independent advocate for consumer ...
Read More about Vintage Corelle Butterfly Gold glass plate: 18,700 ppm Lead on the decorative pattern when tested with an XRF instrument.
Vintage (1972-1988) Corning Spice-o-Life Casserole: 26,500 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe*] & 236 ppm Cd [75 is unsafe.]
Originally posted: December 27, 2018
Updated: December 28, 2019
Introduction / Welcome to My Website!
I am a mother of Lead poisoned children. My children were poisoned in 2005 by the work of a painting contractor, you can see more about my story in the trailer to my documentary film, HERE. Since ...
Read More about Vintage (1972-1988) Corning Spice-o-Life Casserole: 26,500 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe*] & 236 ppm Cd [75 is unsafe.]
What should I do with my Lead-contaminated dishes? To Toss or Not To Toss?
Originally written: November 1, 2013
Updated: December 28, 2019
What should I do with my Lead-contaminated dishes? [Or toys, or piggy banks, etc.]
Alternate Title: To Toss or Not To Toss?
I often get asked "Well, now that we know it contains bio-available lead, what are we supposed ...
Read More about What should I do with my Lead-contaminated dishes? To Toss or Not To Toss?
Ask Tamara: What Dishes Do You Use In Your Home? Which dishes don’t have Lead? Which dishes are Lead free?
Originally published: December 20, 2016
Updated: December 28, 2019
Which dishes are Lead-free?
How can I choose Lead-free dishes for my family?
Question: "What dishes do you use in your home every day?" [I get this question several times a day it seems!]
Answer: Keep it simple.
To help ...
Read More about Ask Tamara: What Dishes Do You Use In Your Home? Which dishes don’t have Lead? Which dishes are Lead free?
Vintage Pyrex Spring Blossom Green Crazy Daisy Mixing Bowls: 109,900 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe) + Cadmium too!
Originally published: June 13, 2018
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a multi-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and a mother of Lead-poisoned children. Her infant and toddler sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in August of 2005. She began conducting independent testing of ...
Read More about Vintage Pyrex Spring Blossom Green Crazy Daisy Mixing Bowls: 109,900 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe) + Cadmium too!
I just found out my child is poisoned, what should I do?
Published December 15, 2019
Hello all! I created this post to be a summary post (a directory of a kind) to answer this question for those starting from the “Start Here” page. Below are links to some of my more important posts about first steps (or first things you want to read) once you find out ...
Read More about I just found out my child is poisoned, what should I do?
What are the symptoms of Lead poisoning? In adults? In children?
Published December 15, 2019
Hello all! I created this post to be a summary post (a directory of a kind) to answer this question for those starting from the “Start Here” page. Below are links to some of my more important posts about symptoms of Lead poisoning - both generally and specifically in ...
Read More about What are the symptoms of Lead poisoning? In adults? In children?
Nasty old (2003?) Tempurpedic pillow positive for LEAD: 5,261 ppm & ANTIMONY: 232 ppm! What are you resting your head on tonight? Is it safe?
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead poisoning prevention. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009, and was the parent-advocate responsible ...
Read More about Nasty old (2003?) Tempurpedic pillow positive for LEAD: 5,261 ppm & ANTIMONY: 232 ppm! What are you resting your head on tonight? Is it safe?
How can I tell if the paint on my home is Lead paint? Read this post for close-up images of this Lead painted railing – Brooklyn, NY
Q. What does Lead paint Look like?
Q. How can I tell if peeling paint is Lead paint?
This is just one example of what peeling Lead paint can look like. I will be posting more examples throughout the month (October 2019) - but this is an excellent example of peeling high-Lead paint on the ...
Read More about How can I tell if the paint on my home is Lead paint? Read this post for close-up images of this Lead painted railing – Brooklyn, NY
What does peeling Lead paint look like? How can I tell if peeling paint is Lead paint? – Rural Pennsylvania
This is just one example of what peeling Lead paint can look like. I will be posting more examples throughout the month of October as I travel the country for Lead Poisoning Prevention Month 2019 - but this is an excellent example of the “alligator pattern” that Lead poisoning prevention advocates ...
Read More about What does peeling Lead paint look like? How can I tell if peeling paint is Lead paint? – Rural Pennsylvania
1983 Pizza Hut Care Bear “Grumpy Bear” glass: 122,900 ppm Lead when tested with an XRF instrument. 90 ppm is unsafe. Did you have these?
When tested with an XRF instrument, this blue "Care Bear" collectable drinking glass from Pizza Hut (1983) has the following readings:
Dark blue tummy cloud on the glass pictured here:
Lead (Pb): 122,900 +/- 5,200 ppm
Cadmium (Cd): 3,224 +/- 250 ppm
Zinc (Zn): 321 +/- 64 ppm
Titanium ...
Read More about 1983 Pizza Hut Care Bear “Grumpy Bear” glass: 122,900 ppm Lead when tested with an XRF instrument. 90 ppm is unsafe. Did you have these?
National Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Key: 11,800 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for kids.]
Oh the irony!
When tested with an XRF instrument, this pink "Breast Cancer Awareness" key tested positive for a high level of LEAD. Lead can cause humans to have a significantly compromised immune system - which in turn can create a biological environment conducive to the growth of cancerous ...
Read More about National Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Key: 11,800 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for kids.]
Another reason to avoid vintage toys – toy triceratops: 6,298 ppm Lead. This would be illegal if made today.
The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe and illegal in a modern item manufactured for use by children today is anything 90 ppm or higher in the paint or coating or anything 100 ppm or higher in the substrate. As a result of the high levels of Lead found in this toy (see exact full XRF test ...
Read More about Another reason to avoid vintage toys – toy triceratops: 6,298 ppm Lead. This would be illegal if made today.
Tamara, can I send you one of my dishes to test for lead? Yes, Maybe – but read this whole post first! Thanks.
Updated: Saturday - August 7, 2021
Question:
Tamara, can I send you one of my dishes to test for lead? [Or - if not a dish - some other toy, jewelry, trinket, heirloom, whatever!]
Answer:
Yes you may send me a small simple item (if it is from a set of dishes ...
Read More about Tamara, can I send you one of my dishes to test for lead? Yes, Maybe – but read this whole post first! Thanks.
Did you get this booklet when you moved in to your pre-1978 rental? Your landlord could be fined $16,000 if you did not.
Because people might find it a little difficult to locate this important document online, I have posted both a link here (click the image above or below to see the document on the EPA's site), and as a backup [given that so much essential information and vital scientific data has been deleted ...
Read More about Did you get this booklet when you moved in to your pre-1978 rental? Your landlord could be fined $16,000 if you did not.
Click the link to learn more! [Wait, what? Is this click bait? What are you selling?]
For those who like a quick answer when they read blog posts:
Garlic.
That's it. Eat all the garlic and move on.
Thanks for reading! :-)
P.S. Tomatoes, berries, onions and grapes are good too! [Link]
Links to the science supporting the efficacy of garlic for ...
Read More about Click the link to learn more! [Wait, what? Is this click bait? What are you selling?]
1995 Franciscan Desert Rose China, Made in England: 47,800 ppm Lead on the food surface! 90 is unsafe for a child.
When this Franciscan Desert Rose Pattern China (Made in the England by Johnson Brothers in 1995) was tested with an XRF instrument it came in at 47,800 +/- 1,400 ppm lead. It is negative for Cd (cadmium), As (arsenic) and Hg (mercury), however that is one heck of a lot of lead to be found in the ...
Read More about 1995 Franciscan Desert Rose China, Made in England: 47,800 ppm Lead on the food surface! 90 is unsafe for a child.
Written on my youngest son’s 11th birthday (July 2019). Click to read the story of how Lead impacted his birth (I almost died in childbirth.).
Wait. What?
Your third baby was poisoned too?
Tamara, you never talk about that!
The tiny human in the picture above (born just 5 lbs 10 ounces) is now almost 130 lbs and 5' 6" inches tall! (And he's just 11 years old today!)
He was my smallest baby - and we had a very difficult pregnancy ...
Read More about Written on my youngest son’s 11th birthday (July 2019). Click to read the story of how Lead impacted his birth (I almost died in childbirth.).
#AskTamara: Q. Which crock pots do you recommend? & Q. Which slow cookers are Lead-free?
I get this question (in some form or another)...
...ALL.THE.TIME!:
"Tamara, which crock pot do you recommend?" or
"Tamara, which slow cooker is Lead-free?"
My answer: I do not ever recommend ANY ceramic-lined crock pot or slow cooker in ANY brand or model or style. Period.
Why? Well... ...
Read More about #AskTamara: Q. Which crock pots do you recommend? & Q. Which slow cookers are Lead-free?
Crate & Barrel (Thailand) Floral Dish: 92,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe in newly manufactured items intended for use by children.
To learn more about XRF testing, Click HERE.
Please do take a moment to read the exact XRF test results for this item (below), so you can see what is in it (as well as a bit of a list of what is not in it!)
To see more Crate & Barrel items I have tested, Click HERE.
While this dish is ...
Read More about Crate & Barrel (Thailand) Floral Dish: 92,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe in newly manufactured items intended for use by children.
Some vintage Legos® test positive for high level of a known carcinogen. Can I tell if my Legos® are safe?
One of these small yellow Lego® bricks (pictured above) is vintage [the one on the left of the photo was purchased new, "between 1978 and 1988"] - and tested positive for a very high level of Cadmium (a known carcinogen); the other is newer [belongs to my kiddos and was purchased sometime in the ...
Read More about Some vintage Legos® test positive for high level of a known carcinogen. Can I tell if my Legos® are safe?
The “Sugar Packet-Football Field” Illustration: How much Lead in dust does it take to poison a child?
Want to see a visual of how much lead dust it takes to poison a child? Please watch the 2.5 minute trailer to the documentary film I directed on the subject:
MisLEAD: America's Secret Epidemic, Trailer from Tamara Rubin on Vimeo.
Here's some background for helping you to understand how ...
Read More about The “Sugar Packet-Football Field” Illustration: How much Lead in dust does it take to poison a child?
Kitchen table positive for 1,400 ppm Lead, yet overlooked by an inspector as an exposure source for a child’s Blood Lead Level.
This kitchen table was positive with levels as high as 1,400 ppm Lead — a hazard that was overlooked, considered insignificant by an inspector, yet was a likely primary source of exposure for a child.
A family I visited last year had an unidentified "mystery" source of persistent Lead ...
Read More about Kitchen table positive for 1,400 ppm Lead, yet overlooked by an inspector as an exposure source for a child’s Blood Lead Level.
Does your business (or school, or doctor, or church?) want 2 host a Lead Safe Mama event? Click 4 info!
Click on the image below to see the full-size one-sheet about the presentations and events we do. Click on the link below for some background about Tamara Rubin and her work and the breakdown of rates for various events and presentations (including half-day, full-day and multi-day ...
Read More about Does your business (or school, or doctor, or church?) want 2 host a Lead Safe Mama event? Click 4 info!
Blood Lead Testing: Please get everyone in the family tested, since you have been living in a house with high lead paint.
Below is a letter I wrote to a family who I recently had a home visit with. I felt it synthesized a lot of information that I often share with families and would be a useful addition to my blog.
February 6, 2019
After our visit I wanted to get back to you with ...
Read More about Blood Lead Testing: Please get everyone in the family tested, since you have been living in a house with high lead paint.
Does your baby’s cup have toxic heavy metals in it? This enamelware “baby cup” tested positive for 16,200 ppm Cadmium!
Please note: This is NOT a post just about one red enamelware baby cup, it's an overview of safe and unsafe baby cups I have found and how to make sure you choose a safe cup for YOUR baby! Please take the time to read the whole post (scrolling past all the images) and to share it with your friends ...
Read More about Does your baby’s cup have toxic heavy metals in it? This enamelware “baby cup” tested positive for 16,200 ppm Cadmium!
Tamara’s Toxic Dishes Guide: “Do my dishes have Lead?” Read this post to see if YOUR china has Lead!
Published: November 22, 2018
Updated: May 30, 2021
Welcome to the Lead Safe Mama website! I am sure this post will engage quite a few new readers, so I thought I would start it with an introduction...
Here's a brief bio about me (Tamara Rubin, aka: Lead Safe Mama).
I am a mother of ...
Read More about Tamara’s Toxic Dishes Guide: “Do my dishes have Lead?” Read this post to see if YOUR china has Lead!
Tamara, can you come to my home and make sure my stuff is safe for my family?
Question: "Tamara, can you come to my home and make sure my stuff is safe for my family?"
Answer: "Why yes! I can do that!"
What is a Lead Safe Mama “Healthy Home Consultation”?
First we want to clarify what it is not.
A Lead Safe Mama healthy home consultation is not a “Hazard ...
Read More about Tamara, can you come to my home and make sure my stuff is safe for my family?
Should I be worried about the possibility of lead in the sandbox toys at my child’s school? [Vintage toy dinosaur pictured: 8,000 ppm Lead].
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a Federal award winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead poisoning prevention. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009, and was the parent-advocate responsible ...
Read More about Should I be worried about the possibility of lead in the sandbox toys at my child’s school? [Vintage toy dinosaur pictured: 8,000 ppm Lead].
#AskTamara: Are my kids’ crayons toxic? Which brand of crayons is safe? Crayola? Filana? Stockmar? Honey Sticks?
#AskTamara:
Question: Are my kids' crayons toxic? Which brand of crayons is safe?
Answer: Yes, it is very possible that one or more crayons in your child's crayon box contain some detectable level of heavy metals when tested with an XRF instrument.
In fact - while I have not tested all ...
Read More about #AskTamara: Are my kids’ crayons toxic? Which brand of crayons is safe? Crayola? Filana? Stockmar? Honey Sticks?
Ceramcor Xtrema “Metals-Free” Saucepan Positive For Lead, Cadmium, Cobalt, Iron, Nickel, Chromium and other metals when tested with an XRF instrument.
In August of 2018 I tested yet another Ceramcor Xtrema "Lead-Free" pan that ended up being positive for lead.
This pan was purchased direct from the company, c. November of 2016.
These pans are advertised and promoted as being metals-free, and specifically as being lead-free — yet ...
Read More about Ceramcor Xtrema “Metals-Free” Saucepan Positive For Lead, Cadmium, Cobalt, Iron, Nickel, Chromium and other metals when tested with an XRF instrument.
#AskTamara: What is Carbon Steel? (Morakniv, Made in Sweden Carving Knife)
Originally published: July 8, 2018
Updated: December 26, 2021
Q: What is carbon steel?
A: The following XRF readings are all of the metals detected when testing the Morakniv "Made In Sweden" knife (pictured here), which is marked "Carbon Steel". While I have not tested a lot of carbon steel ...
Read More about #AskTamara: What is Carbon Steel? (Morakniv, Made in Sweden Carving Knife)
#AskTamara: What is stainless steel? [This U.S.A. made Lead-free hose has all stainless steel hardware!]
Question: What is stainless steel?
Answer: There are actually multiple answers to that question — as there are a lot of different grades of stainless steel.
One of the most common grades of stainless steel (for household uses including cookware/ kitchen items) is "304". When something reads as ...
Read More about #AskTamara: What is stainless steel? [This U.S.A. made Lead-free hose has all stainless steel hardware!]
Maybe Grandma Can Keep Her Vintage Faux Pearls?: 295,900 ppm Lead [90 & up is unsafe in items kids use.]
How toxic are your vintage pearls?
When tested with an XRF instrument, this set of Grandma’s vintage faux pearls (that feel like real pearls!) were positive for Lead at 295,900 +/- 34,000 ppm. At this level of Lead this is essentially Leaded crystal that these pearls are made ...
Read More about Maybe Grandma Can Keep Her Vintage Faux Pearls?: 295,900 ppm Lead [90 & up is unsafe in items kids use.]
Lead Safe Mama’s Healthy Home Consultations, Outreach Events, Speaking Engagements; Rates
Updated; October 23, 2021
(Rates & Minimums Subject To Change)
Background
Tamara Rubin, an internationally-recognized expert on childhood Lead-poisoning and its prevention, has won numerous awards (including two from the federal government) for her pioneering work in ...
Read More about Lead Safe Mama’s Healthy Home Consultations, Outreach Events, Speaking Engagements; Rates
Late-1990s Spice Islands Spice Jar Lid: 8,000 ppm Lead. Maybe this is a good time to get rid of those older spice jars?
Originally Posted: January 21, 2018
Updated: May 21, 2022
The paint on the metal lid of this older (c. late-1990s) Spice Islands spice jar tested positive for lead when tested with an XRF instrument at more than 8,000 ppm Lead. This jar was tested in 2012, so I did not record any more information ...
Read More about Late-1990s Spice Islands Spice Jar Lid: 8,000 ppm Lead. Maybe this is a good time to get rid of those older spice jars?
Very well written article: Surprising Danger of Bentonite Clay…
From the article linked below:
"Many have shared how bentonite clay has helped their digestion or skin symptoms. The reasons why it may have helped seemed plausible to me, and I don’t doubt that many have had positive experiences. Since I’ve never seen much research either way, I never thought ...
Read More about Very well written article: Surprising Danger of Bentonite Clay…
Scientific Study: Potential Hazard of Lead in Decorated Glassware
Published: November 23, 2017
Here's a direct link to the study on PubMed.
Click the image below to read the full article shown below from IFL Science!
"Dr Andrew Turner of the University of Plymouth, UK tested a range of glass products used for storing liquids, both new and second hand. These ...
Read More about Scientific Study: Potential Hazard of Lead in Decorated Glassware
I was really sad when (in 2014) I discovered that this antique maple syrup bucket was positive for 12,500 ppm Lead!
Originally published in 2014
Re-shared: November 21, 2017
Updated: October 25, 2020
Antique / Vintage Maple syrup collection bucket from New Hampshire.
"Leader" brand: 12,500 ppm lead.
Possibly 60 or 70 years old (in 2014).
When I tested this antique maple syrup bucket in 2014 I was more than ...
Read More about I was really sad when (in 2014) I discovered that this antique maple syrup bucket was positive for 12,500 ppm Lead!
Vintage Vinyl Measuring Tape (for Sewing): 19,900 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]
Originally posted, November 19, 2017
Link to this post on Facebook (so you can share it!)
Measuring Tape - Soft Plastic, Made in China.
When tested with a Niton XRF instrument it was positive for Lead with the following reading: 19,900 parts per million (ppm).
To learn more about XRF ...
Read More about Vintage Vinyl Measuring Tape (for Sewing): 19,900 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]
Dr. Mercola “Metals Free” Frying Pan: 14,900 ppm Lead. Check out the 140+ comments on this one too!
Below is a letter I wrote to Dr. Mercola when I first found Lead in these pans that are sold and marketed as "Lead-free" and "Metals Free". This post was originally published on June 9, 2017. Dr. Mercola never responded to me directly, but here are several related posts including his response to ...
Read More about Dr. Mercola “Metals Free” Frying Pan: 14,900 ppm Lead. Check out the 140+ comments on this one too!
My Clorox Wipes Video or “How to clean up Lead dust.” – A short video by Lead Safe Mama, Tamara Rubin.
This post and video were originally published in November of 2014.
This is the technique we used to clean up Lead dust in our home after our children were poisoned back in 2005. We know for sure this works because we had dust wipe samples (tests to determine Lead-levels in dust) taken both BEFORE ...
Read More about My Clorox Wipes Video or “How to clean up Lead dust.” – A short video by Lead Safe Mama, Tamara Rubin.
Every Spring the City of Portland, Oregon water bill includes a warning notice about Lead in the water (a notice that no one ever seems to read.)
Published May 5, 2017
Updated: February 28, 2022
[Scroll to bottom for the Rubin Family current [February 2022] water bill.]
Below are FOUR of my actual water bills from the City of Portland (colors and circles and arrows added by me for emphasis!). The first one is from when I originally ...
Read More about Every Spring the City of Portland, Oregon water bill includes a warning notice about Lead in the water (a notice that no one ever seems to read.)
San Pellegrino Water Bottle: 116 ppm Lead in the green glass, 90 is unsafe in items used by kids. Please click & read to learn more.
Originally posted April 4, 2017
Updated December 22, 2019
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 ,and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead ...
Read More about San Pellegrino Water Bottle: 116 ppm Lead in the green glass, 90 is unsafe in items used by kids. Please click & read to learn more.
#LeadPaintedSchoolYards: Portland, Oregon
Yellow painted lines on school yard in Portland Public school Elementary School - Llewellyn /Sellwood - 25,700 ppm lead. In spite of a public declaration to "Keep PPS Schoolyards Safe And Healthy" this is simply not happening!
----
Originally Posted; July 2016.
----
Hey you guys! More ...
Read More about #LeadPaintedSchoolYards: Portland, Oregon
Read this post to learn what I have done at my home to make sure my urban yard and garden are Lead-safe!
Posted here: February 26, 2017
Updated: April 26, 2020
I took this picture of our back yard years ago and realized that every element in the photos had a “Lead story” – so I thought it would be fun to annotate it and share it with you all, in case it could ...
Read More about Read this post to learn what I have done at my home to make sure my urban yard and garden are Lead-safe!
Bentonite clay (a primary Earthpaste toothpaste ingredient) has unsafe levels of Lead. Earthpaste’s marketing downplays this fact.
Originally posted/discussed in April of 2014
Updated: February 6, 2017
Here's a great recent article about bentonite clay use and the potential dangers.
Original post:
Yes, Earthpaste Toothpaste DOES have lead.
The manufacturer has a prop 65 warning on the label (required by law) ...
Read More about Bentonite clay (a primary Earthpaste toothpaste ingredient) has unsafe levels of Lead. Earthpaste’s marketing downplays this fact.
Ask Tamara: Q. Can I test my dishes for lead with a LeadCheck swab? A. Sometimes, but not always. (Click to read more.)
Ask Tamara:
Q. Hi! Thank you for all you do!! Are the LeadCheck® test swabs from Home Depot sufficient enough to test my dishware? Also, even though Fiestaware says "Lead free: it could still have Cadmium in it, correct? Thank you and I follow all your work!
A. The short of it is that ...
Read More about Ask Tamara: Q. Can I test my dishes for lead with a LeadCheck swab? A. Sometimes, but not always. (Click to read more.)
KitchenAid Mixer Attachments, c. 2014: as high as 2,434 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.]
When tested with an XRF instrument almost all of the KitchenAid brand mixer attachments (of the many that I have tested to date) have been positive for Lead*.
This is true of the ones with the white coating and of the ones with the shiny or dull gray finish. This also includes the top-knobs ...
Read More about KitchenAid Mixer Attachments, c. 2014: as high as 2,434 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.]
Typical American house key: 12,800 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!
When tested with an XRF instrument, this typical American house door key
had the following reading: 12,800 ppm Lead
How much Lead is "too much" Lead?
The current amount of Lead that is considered toxic (and illegal) in an item "intended for use by children" is anything over 90 ppm Lead in the ...
Read More about Typical American house key: 12,800 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!
If a doctor says your baby’s Blood Lead Level is “normal” – get a new doctor. There’s no “NORMAL” level of LEAD in blood.
Originally posted: January 7, 2017
Updated: June 07, 2021
I have written this post out of frustration over the rampant misinformation given to parents when they first get their children tested.
Doctors often tell parents their child’s Blood Lead Level [“BLL”] is “normal” when the level is 1, or ...
Read More about If a doctor says your baby’s Blood Lead Level is “normal” – get a new doctor. There’s no “NORMAL” level of LEAD in blood.
My favorite article ever, about the impact of low-level lead exposure.
This is my single-most favorite article ever written about the impact of low level lead exposure and I encourage everyone to read it as a basic primer of what we are up against as parents and as an advocacy community. Every single time I re-read it I am re-inspired. Please check it ...
Read More about My favorite article ever, about the impact of low-level lead exposure.
Cadmium Concerns
Finding Lead in dishware is one thing, however I have also recently posted several posts where dishes have tested positive for Cadmium.
While I will go in to more specifics below, I think we really ought to be questioning an industry that uses Cadmium at all (regardless of whether or not they ...
Read More about Cadmium Concerns
#AskTamara: “What do you use to test for Lead?”; “Can I do this myself at home?”; “How much does it cost?”
Originally written December 19, 2016
Updated December 11, 2019
Introduction:
Tamara Rubin is a multi-Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and a mother of Lead-poisoned children. Her infant and toddler sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in August of 2005. She began ...
Read More about #AskTamara: “What do you use to test for Lead?”; “Can I do this myself at home?”; “How much does it cost?”
#AskTamara: The inspector is coming tomorrow, what do I need to know?
Question
“I just found out my kiddo was Lead poisoned and an inspector from the Health Department is coming out on Monday, what might I expect?”
Answer:
The extent of your home inspection (if done by a public agency) really will depend on two things:
The budget of your health ...
Read More about #AskTamara: The inspector is coming tomorrow, what do I need to know?
A Dad’s Perspective; Autism Vs. Lead Poisoning
Originally written May 24, 2015
Updated (just the images!) December 2, 2019
Today is my birthday; I’m 57 years old.
I mention this not to solicit “Happy Birthday” e-mails – but to illustrate that there is not a single day that goes by in our life where lead poisoning and its impacts are ...
Read More about A Dad’s Perspective; Autism Vs. Lead Poisoning
Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life & I shouldn’t worry. ‘Your kids will be fine…”
1/16/2015 – Facebook
“A.” asked:
What do you say to people who say, “Oh, they’ll be fine! I ate lead paint all the time as a kid.” Or what do you say to caretakers who don’t remove the antique toys you requested them to put away?
Tamara’s Answer:
Hi A! What I say (if I am feeling ...
Read More about Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life & I shouldn’t worry. ‘Your kids will be fine…”
Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?
Christine posted on Facebook (6/23/2014):
"What do you do once you find lead paint?? I tested last night and found some deteriorating on the front door jamb and I'm so worried about my 2 year old and 3 month old! I can't afford to hire a contractor. Would painting over it be ...
Read More about Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?
#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?
#AskTamara
Originally Posted June 18, 2014
Question From Cristen (via Facebook)
QUESTION
Tamara Rubin, my ND suggested that if I was nervous about having my 3yo and 5yo lead tested (due to the finger stick...I'm pretty sure my 5yo would cry, and my 3yo would FREAK the hell out, major ...
Read More about #AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?
Q: Renting a 1950’s House…
May 19, 2014
Kayla
QUESTION:
Hello! I have come across your site and wondered if you would have the time to answer a question for me? We live in a home in the south built in the 50s. It was completely repainted before we moved in and the lead status is "unknown". We are renting and our ...
Read More about Q: Renting a 1950’s House…
Lead in Antiques & Christmas Lights (& Stained Glass Windows & Antique Print Trays) – a video.
Image of an antique print tray found on Etsy
Originally Published: December 10, 2013
Updated: March 13, 2022 - Sunday
Below is a video that is a scene from an early cut of my documentary feature film [that was one of the many, many fun scenes that we eventually had to cut ...
Read More about Lead in Antiques & Christmas Lights (& Stained Glass Windows & Antique Print Trays) – a video.
Breaking News – August 2022: CORELLE [Instant Brands] confirms (but downplays) the presence of Leaded glaze used for the food surface decorations of their vintage dishware.
Alternate Title: Hey, CORELLE [Instant Brands]..."were you lying then, or are you lying now?" (Maybe a little of both? — see the history of their statements on the subject, below)
Quick Summary
After historically flat-out denying that they ever used Lead in the glazes of their dishware (see ...
Read More about Breaking News – August 2022: CORELLE [Instant Brands] confirms (but downplays) the presence of Leaded glaze used for the food surface decorations of their vintage dishware.
