When tested with an XRF instrument this small vintage clear glass Arcoroc juice tumbler (Made in France) tested positive for Lead with the following reading: 223 ppm.
Here are some Amazon affiliate links* to similar, modern (“Made in France”) lead-free glasses (#SaferChoices!):
More info about Arcoroc below:
(click the image of the text below to get to the original source of information):
In 2018 the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern/newly manufactured item intended for children is 90 ppm lead (or higher) in the coating or 100 ppm (or higher) in the substrate. Dishes and glassware are not considered “items intended for children” (even newly made ones that are manufactured in the United States) and, as such, are not regulated for total lead content as tested/detectable with an XRF instrument. That said there is a lot of new clear glassware that is Lead-free!
–
Would you like to see more test results like this? Please help me rent (or eventually buy!) an XRF instrument to continue this work. You can support my independent consumer goods testing & advocacy work by joining the hundreds of people who have contributed here: http://www.GoFundMe.com/LeadSafeMama – OR… better yet… consider making a small monthly gift in support of my advocacy here! https://tamararubin.com/2017/07/subscribe/
–
Thank you for reading, following, and sharing! Please ask questions if you have them!
We had those glasses growing up, sigh…
They are fairly low lead (not like leaded crystal which is 300,000 ppm lead) – but still I wonder about leaching over time, especially because when you see these older glasses they are cloudy and sort of etched looking… like usage did damage in them in some way.
Regular dishwasher use causes this cloudy etching over time with almost any glassware (which is why I didn’t give in to sentiment to bring some of my mother’s glasses home). I have arcoroc glasses that are 40 years old, used regularly, never in a dishwasher, look like new.
(I, like others, am curious about actual leaching vs content)
Ugh. We had a set of these up until last summer. They were my grandmother’s. I’m so glad I saw your post about similar ones last year. Thank you for what you do.
The etching/cloudy surface is wear and age on some sort of glass coating that makeS them shatter resistant. When they break eventually the bits are more like windshield glass and less like wicked slicing shards. Is the plain glass you recommend also shatter resistant?
Ugh I have these Arc juice glasses, and some arc little glass bowls. Should I assume all ARC France has lead over 90ppm?
Have you tested the Arcoroc France cobalt blue items?
Hi,
I appreciate your work . However, just because that is what they contain, doesn’t mean to say thats what they leach. With respect you need leachate testing too with different pH liquids. Thanks.
This provides good context: https://tamararubin.com/2020/05/i-dont-do-what-i-do-to-spread-fear-i-do-what-i-do-to-educate-so-you-can-make-informed-choices-for-your-family/
Another good one for context: https://tamararubin.com/2021/08/lobster-salad-vs-ice-cream-why-xrf-testing-of-consumer-goods-is-relevant/
Also this: https://tamararubin.com/2021/04/what-kind-of-business-is-lead-safe-mama-llc/