Here’s another one (I probably have about a dozen or more posts up for Ball jars right now, please check them all out!)
Related: To see more clear glass items I have tested, click here.
When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage clear Ball jar with glass lid was positive for 46 ppm Lead, (+/- 15 ppm). It was also positive for trace levels of Cadmium.
It’s very common for vintage clear glass to have trace Lead (less common for newly manufactured clear glass). See the test results for this item on the XRF screen in the picture. Read about #CadmiumConcerns here.
Tamara’s Grade: “C”
C = I would not want to use it in my home, I would not want to eat food that you canned in it in your home. If you offered me something to drink in this (like tea or water) when I am visiting you, I would be fine with that. It is likely not leaching, but since Lead-free jars can be found (especially for longer term storage like canning) I prefer to have the lead-free options in my home.
Newer Ball brand jars are generally Lead-free (or at least Lead-safe). You can read more about that by clicking here. To see more canning jars I have tested, click here.
In general I recommend avoiding vintage cookware in your home.
Here’s a link to a safer choice on Amazon*: https://amzn.to/2LykeOQ
If you appreciate my advocacy work, please consider donating even just $5 via my #GoFundMe! Link HERE! Thank you.
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts!
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links I may receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my advocacy work in this way.
Omg I have glass everything because I believed its the safest thing! How can I get this testing device? Thanks
They cost between $25,000 to $50,000 depending on the model! lol. https://tamararubin.com/xrf/
Do old glass bottles have lead in them as well because I was going to do some bottling with some but read this and wasn’t sure.
They may. It is normally (but not always) dependent on the color. You can look up categories of glass here on this website by putting search terms like “brown glasss” and “blue glass” or “green glass” or “clear glass” in the search bar.
Here’s the video that shows you how to efficiently search the website: https://tamararubin.com/2020/12/how-to-use-the-lead-safe-mama-website-video/
Tamara
I use many vintage Ball, Drey, Atlas and Presto glass gars for dry goods only ( ex. sugar, salt, flour and rice) on my counter top. Are they safe?
Hello. I am curious about storing dry goods in these jars. I have many of this style vintage jars and I store rice, grains, dried mushrooms, etc. in them. Is that safe?!