Vintage toy metal plate with owl: 465 ppm lead • 343 ppm arsenic
The amount of lead considered unsafe in items manufactured today as intended for children is 90 ppm lead or higher. (so this would NOT be considered lead-safe.) Dishes are not sold as “intended for children” so total lead content (as detectible with an XRF) is not regulated (now or historically.) Vintage and antique dishware is also not regulated for total lead content nor lead toxicity. Modern, newly manufactured toy dishes ARE manufactured with the intention of being used by children and should be lead-free or at least lead-safe (under 90 ppm.)
I am not saying that these dishes (or any specific dishes that test positive for lead) will poison you or your child, I am only saying they may contain an unsafe level of lead by today’s regulatory standards for items intended to be used by children. Lead is one of the most potent neurotoxins known to man and does not belong in our kitchens nor on our dining room table. [or play-room table for that matter!]
For lead-safe / lead-free dishware options, click here.
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