This Spode brand yellow “Albany” pattern china (Made in England) was positive for Lead when tested with an XRF instrument. It came in at 43,900 ppm Lead (+/- 1,400 ppm).
For context: the amount of lead that is considered unsafe in a newly manufactured item intended for children is 90 ppm in the coating or 100 ppm in the substrate. Dishware is not regulated for total lead content as detectable with an XRF. Most vintage dishware was also not regulated for leach testing standards (or other standards) at the time of manufacture (depending on the age). To be on the safe side, I advocate for avoiding vintage china if at all possible (unless you have had it tested and found it to be truly lead free.)
There are documented cases of both children and adults being poisoned from eating off of high lead vintage/ antique dishware.
Most “Made in England” vintage china that I have tested has been similarly high lead (in the range of 50,000 ppm and sometimes higher.)
This dish was “Non-Detect” (negative) for mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As).
Read more about the concern for lead in dishware here.
Thank you for reading and sharing my posts.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
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