Candlestick I found at a yardsale, proudly displaying a “24% Lead Crystal” sticker!
This means they are 240,000 ppm lead.
There is no safe level of lead exposure to children. Items manufactured today that are intended for use by children must be no higher than 90 ppm lead. Items intended for use by adults (especially decorative items) are not regulated for total lead content in any way.
Leaded crystal (especially crystal with higher levels of lead) can chalk lead into the environment (depending on how the crystal was made) and will often test positive with a LeadCheck swab, especially if the item has been sitting on a shelf not cleaned for a long period of time. Manufacturing and selling crystal with lead is not (yet) illegal. It is not (yet) regulated. Purchasing leaded crystal products contributes to the mining and refining of the lead required to make these products, which adds lead to the atmosphere and contributes to “background” levels of lead contamination in our environment. Conversely – choosing to not buy them – and finding lead-free alternatives helps to save the planet! You choose!
Here’s a link to some lead-free choices on Amazon!*
Lead-free crystal candle sticks – $35.50
Unfinished wood candle sticks – $9.49
Stainless steel candle sticks – $118.00
For more #SaferChoices for your family, click here.
To make a contribution in support of my independent consumer goods testing and lead poisoning prevention advocacy work, click here. Thank you!
Holly Terchila says
How would a lead crystal candlestick poison someone?
Tamara says
Hi Holly – they add to the lead content of dust in the home. Please read this article: https://tamararubin.com/2021/06/but-is-this-dish-or-toy-or-lamp-or-vitamin-or-piece-of-jewelry-or-tibetan-brass-singing-bowl-actually-going-to-poison-me-and-how-would-that-happen-exactly/
And also read this one:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/the-sugar-packet-analogy-how-much-lead-dust-does-it-take-to-poison-a-child/
Tamara