Vintage Pyrex Spring Blossom Green “Crazy Daisy” patterned cups
For those new to this website:
Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic). All test results reported on this website are science-based, accurate, and replicable. Items are tested multiple times to confirm the test results for each component tested. Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February of 2023 (March 2023 print edition).
The dark green/ almost black paint on these mugs tested positive for the following elements at the following levels (with a one-minute test, using an XRF instrument):
- Lead (Pb): 39,300 +/- 1,600 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 833 +/- 61 ppm
- Arsenic (As): ND
- Mercury (Hg): ND
- Platinum (Pt): 1,017 +/- 264 ppm
- Gold (Au): 492 +/- 273 ppm
To learn more about XRF testing, click Here.
To see more mugs we have tested, click Here.
For context, the amount of Lead considered toxic to children in a newly manufactured item intended specifically for children’s use is anything 90 ppm and higher (in the coating).
Vintage dishware is not regulated at all for “total lead content as detectable with an XRF” and neither is modern dishware (yet). (Isn’t it interesting that it was positive for gold and platinum?!)
NOTE: When well-used, most vintage Pyrex pieces will also usually test positive with a reactive agent test (like a LeadCheck swab: http://amzn.to/2DfE3ER*).
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To see more vintage Pyrex pieces Lead Safe Mama has tested, click here.
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Take away: If you can AVOID having functional vintage Pyrex pieces (or any vintage mugs or glasses) in your home, I would highly recommend that.
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Here is a link to a post listing some Lead-free modern mug choices: https://tamararubin.com/2016/12/mugs/.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you for reading and for sharing this work!
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
I use mine frequently. What about matching Corelle dishes, plates? Use daily, and in microwave. Blossom pattern. Son has grandmother’s set with little blue trim.
You gotta be kidding me.
Christmas Eve 2019.. my sister in law says.. I love your dishes (Green Crazy Daisy)
I’m all.. thanks!!! They were my grandmothers (all proud of myself)
Merry Christmas you’re all getting lead poising…
Does this also mean that then other color options with the daisey are also considered unsafe? Or is it color specific?I
Also does the # on the bottom of Pyrex dishes indicate a year or can point someone that the mug of bowl is unsafe?
My mugs have a #16 on the bottem?
Thank you for all that you share!
Michelle
Yikes, I’ve been using these since I bought them in 1972. It NEVER crossed my mind that they could be a part of my current & past health issues. Is there a class action lawsuit yet? If so, can you share it so that I can join in? This is horrid news. I also purchased the complete set of casserole dishes 8 years ago from an antique mall & I use them several times a week. Jeez, I feel the Company should have done more to warn the public. Thanks.
Could it be argued that the mugs and bowls of this design are of lower concern compared to the plates? If what is concerning is metals leeching from the enamel directly into food, that shouldn’t be possible for these since the decoration is only on the outside of those pieces.
Hi Andrew.Thanks for commenting. Please read this piece that discusses the “only on the outside” considerations:
https://tamararubin.com/2020/07/if-the-lead-is-only-on-the-outside-of-my-dish-measuring-cup-mixing-bowl-etc-why-does-it-matter-that-it-has-lead/
Tamara
Thanks, Tamara, I’ll check it out now.