Brio train, “Made in Sweden” age unknown.
Tested with an XRF in 2015.
- Lead (Pb): 1,862 ppm
- Arsenic (As): 575 ppm
To learn more about XRF testing, Click HERE.
The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe in a newly manufactured item intended for children in 90 ppm Lead (or higher) in the paint or coating.
This toy train was likely manufactured before the new regulations went into effect (2008 through 2010). It was mostly likely made in the 1990 to 2010 range, although it was not part of the 2007 Thomas The Tank Engine Recall [LINK.]
As a result of the 2007 recall (and subsequent legislation), new Thomas and Brio trains should all be Lead-free.
Here are a few good choices on Amazon* that I would trust to be Lead-free:
- A Thomas & Friends Set for $29.96
- A Thomas & Friends Super Station for $89.00
- Thomas & Friends Main Page on Amazon
- Thomas & Friends Island of Sodor Play Table
For #SaferChoices for your family, click here.
If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via GoFundMe or PayPal. Thank you!
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts!
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! [You don’t even need to purchase the exact items that I recommend in order for me to earn a referral commission!]
We had these trains tested as well since I saw this post and my son was passed down these trains from dad. The city inspectors gun didn’t trace lead on them. Weird, right? Maybe mine weren’t made in Sweden? Regardless, they’re being tossed.
Do you know what type of instrument the inspector had? Did you get a “less than one milligram per centimeter squared” reading? or a “negative” in parts per million – reading.
Hi! I really want to find lead free Thomas sets for my son!
But I can’t find any that shows “lead free” what do i do?
I also have a set of Brio trains with the tracks, houses, etc…. i understood the roofs, and colorful paint of the houses had lead… so also the painted parts of a train would as well? Just checking what to keep – just the tracks?, and toss everything else out? Thanks for your help!
We purchased a new Percy train (Thomas and Friends) in May 2021 that tested positive for lead with an at-home swab. I set it aside in a baggy. We also have older Thomas and Friends wooden trains that were NOT included in the recall but test positive for lead on the magnet couplings using an at-home swab. My son is devastated that a significant portion of his trains have been taken away from him.
Caroline –
Unless you used a 3M/LeadCheck swab you likely got a false result. The generic bulk-purchased swabs on Amazon are not useful and should never be purchased. They are causing a lot of unnecessary (not-science-based) tsuris.
Tamara