Are 3M LeadCheck Swabs “Safe”? I saw on the package that they contain LEAD!
Originally published December, 2013
Updated April 2017
I get this question every now and then – so I thought I would post the question and my answer here. I also asked the folks at 3M for their take:
Question:
Hi Tamara,
I read the back of our lead testing kit, and was so disappointed to read that it contains known carcinogens that I am unable/unwilling to use them. Has the 3M company given you any reassuring *facts* about this statement that might ease the mind of someone like me?
Thank you,
Kim
My Answer:
Hi Kim!
The kit has a slip of paper in it that is used as a “control” – the slip has lead on it (in dots that are outlined in black), so you can check to see if a swab is working if for some reason you don’t think it is.
That is the only toxic substance in the kit to my knowledge – (and it makes sense for it to be there in case folks have questions about the validity of the test they are doing.)
In most cases the paint your are testing – the paint that is on the walls of your home is – unfortunately – 100 to 1000 times more toxic than the sample that is in the kit.
– Tamara
3M’s Answer
(Tamara),
That is the correct answer. The cards do contain lead as a positive control to ensure the user the product is working correctly. So the cards are the hazardous portion of the kit.
David, 3M Corporate
Please let me know if you have any more questions!
Sincerely,
Tamara Elise Rubin
“Unexpected Lead Expert”
Mother of Lead Poisoned Children
If you appreciate what I do (including XRF testing of consumer goods and sharing the results here and on Twitter and Facebook!), the simplest way you can help support my advocacy work at NO EXTRA COST to you is to click on the Amazon affiliate links in the post. If you click on any of the links before you start your Amazon shopping as you normally would, then Amazon sends me a percentage of whatever you spend – and you don’t even have to buy the items pictured! 😉
Happy shopping! & Thank you for your support! – Tamara
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Thank you for doing what you do Robert!
Are these levels of lead in a test kit dangerous in pregnancy?
The Lead is in the confirmation card. I always just recommend throwing the confirmation card away when you open the package and then there is no lead to deal with.
Tamara
Dear Tamara, this same testing kit I ordered arrived opened and tampered with. It contained some very red dust. I only learned now (from your answer above) that the testing kit confirmation lead contains lead, and am very much freaking out about lead dust flying around my apartment (the window was open). The vials (which apparently contain lead nitrate) we’re maliciously broken. Do you know how much lead is inside those confirmation cards? I’m very much freaking out right now and not sure at all what to do. I’m sincerely terrified of brain and reproductive damage. Not sure if I should throw away all my belongings right now or what. Thank you for your tremendous work!
The vials don’t contain any lead. There is lead only on the paper card and it is not enough to create dust. Just toss the card, and see if you can order a new kit.
Hello Tamara! I am freaking out about those confirmation cards as well. I touched the corner of the card (not the circles) and then touched the door knob , washed my hands and fed my baby. Now I am thinking that maybe the lead could get from those circles to the rest of the card and I may have touched it and then I touched my breast and I am freaking out I could pass it to my baby. Do you know if the lead on this cards could get to the other parts outside the circles? Thank you a lot! I am ready to do the test blood for my baby.
Hi Inna –
Touching the edge of the card is fine. You haven’t contaminated your environment with this. Hand washing is sufficient even if you had touched the center of the dots.
Depending on the age of your baby, if they have not been tested in the past 6 months it is always good to get them tested to have a baseline.
Please read this piece: https://tamararubin.com/2021/07/im-concerned-that-my-child-may-have-just-inhaled-potentially-leaded-fireworks-fumes-what-should-i-do/
And please read this too: https://tamararubin.com/2019/02/blood-lead-testing-please-get-everyone-in-the-family-tested-since-you-have-been-living-in-a-house-with-high-lead-paint/
Tamara
Thank you a lot Tamara!
I have read the articles you shared and reading more in your blog. Thank you a lot for your work! I found out about lead risks from your blog. I never heard about it before, even from pediatricians.
hi Tamara,
My cake stand tested negative for lead. Do I just wash the cake stand with soap and water before using?
Also, are the ingredients in the vial toxic?
Hi Tamara,
Please notify me by email rather than posting to this board.
Thank you