When tested with an XRF instrument this Mexican glazed ceramic bowl – with bird design on the inside had the following readings on the food-surface of the bowl:
- Lead (Pb): 51,608 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): >100,000 ppm (greater than 10% Mercury in the glaze)
- Arsenic (As): 31,350 ppm
Takeaway: PLEASE avoid all Mexican pottery (especially for food use purposes) at all cost unless you know the artist and know for sure it is lead-free! Even Mexican pottery MARKED “Lead Free” may not be Lead free at all. Click here to see an example of that.
To read more about the concern for Lead in pottery, please consider reading this post: LINK.
For Safer Choices For Your Family Click Here!
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Have you tested any Moroccan pottery? Ours tested negative with a 3M test swab but I’m curious about the XRF!
Some, I think. Do you have a picture you can share? Or a brand?
what if the pottery or item from Mexico says LEAD FREE? could it still contain lead or other heavy metals? thanks
I have tested quite a bit of Mexican pottery that was marked “lead free” and it is often very high lead, unfortunately. I have a new one to post from a few months ago – I will try to get you that link a.s.a.p.