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). Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February 2023 (March 2023 print edition).
Published: July 9, 2018
Updated: November 21, 2023
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When tested with an XRF instrument, this Crate & Barrel “Miguel Highball” drinking glass (Made in Mexico) had the following readings (the glass item pictured was tested multiple times to confirm these results):
- Lead (Pb): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
- Mercury (Hg): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
- Cadmium (Cd): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
- Arsenic (As): Negative (Non-detect/ND)
Crate & Barrel products have gone either way over the past decade or more (unleaded or Leaded), although many (but not all) of their newer products (c. 2018 and later) have been either Lead-free or at least Lead-safe (under 90 ppm Lead).
See more Crate & Barrel items that Lead Safe Mama, LLC has tested by clicking this link.
In terms of purchasing guidelines for clear glasses/ glassware/ drinkware, here are some considerations:
- Country Of Origin:
- “Made in Mexico” is often an indicator that there is Lead in glass — so this particular glass is an exception to that rule. (Here’s the Made in Mexico category of articles on this website.)
- “Made in Spain,” “Made in Germany,” and “Made in Portugal” glassware options are also often Leaded.
- Tinted Glass:
- If glasses have any tint or color they are more likely to test positive for Lead or Cadmium than if they are clear glass (again the glass pictured on this page is an exception, because of the blue/green tint). See more tinted glasses we have tested by clicking here.
- Recycled Glass:
- Drinking glassware made of post-consumer recycled materials (that often have a slight blue/green tint like this one) is usually positive for Lead (in varying levels). Here’s an example of that. So again, the glass pictured above is an exception.
- The exception to the concern for Lead in recycled glassware is when products are made of pre-consumer (or “virgin”) glass that has been “recycled.”
- A lot of companies “greenwash” their products by saying in their marketing materials that their products are made of “recycled glass” — letting the customers believe the company is using glass from consumer recycling streams to make their product (and therefore, in some way, helping the environment by not using virgin materials). Manufacturers often do this to intentionally mislead customers — to make the company seem better from a sustainability perspective when in fact they are using scrap virgin glass from within the factory (so not truly recycled glass). In 2023, Corelle is currently greenwashing its glass products in this way.
- Clear (Non-Fancy) Glass in Brick & Mortar USA Stores:
- Ikea, Walmart, K-Mart, and Target (and other popular stores) have LOTS of inexpensive options in unpainted/ undecorated clear glass that are generally Lead-free.
- Exception: Avoid “fancy” products sold in these stores — specifically products that are marketed as “Lead-Free crystal.” Lead-free crystal items can test positive for high levels of Antimony (a known carcinogen). Antimony has been added to many of these items in the place of Lead to impart some of the qualities previously achieved through the addition of Lead. One brand with high-Antimony “Lead-free” options (a brand to avoid) is Riedel.
- Known Lead-Free Brands:
- Good modern brands of clear drinking glasses that you can purchase new and are likely to be Lead-free (and Antimony-free) include:
- Alternative Glassware (earn your “crunchy” card!):
- One of my favorite inexpensive Lead-free choices for drinking glasses is new Ball jars!
- Leaded Crystal:
- Please do be careful to avoid Leaded crystal at all costs, as crystal has been proven to leach Lead into the beverages it holds. You can read more about that here.
- Considering Vintage? Stick with unpainted & look for Press Lines:
- The November 2023 article in The Guardian featuring our work discussed this topic at length. You can read that article on this link.
- With vintage glassware, a good way to determine (in most cases, with some exceptions) if the item is made of Leaded crystal or of low-Lead/ Lead-free glass, is whether or not there is a press seam (also called a “press line”) vertically along the glass. A press seam is a good indicator that it is not Leaded crystal. Here are some examples of drinkware with press lines — link.
- All vintage glassware with exterior painted decorations is likely painted with high Lead paint. There are dozens of examples of that here on this website and those should be avoided. You can see many of them at this category link.
- Here’s a link to a 2017 study from England supporting the assertion that one should not use most glassware (vintage or even modern) with painted exterior markings.
Some specific examples of Lead-free (and Lead-safe) glassware choices
Updated: November 21, 2023
- Set of 6 beautiful decorative clear glass Lead-Free glasses (Italy), $31.58
- Set of 18 blue glass Lead-Free glasses (France), $100.00
- Set of 16 simple clear glass Lead-Free glasses (USA): $39.99
- Set of 4 tall clear Lead-Free glasses with geometric pattern (USA): $23.92
- Set of 6 tall clear (tinted) Lead-Safe (9 ppm Lead) glasses with cow imprint (Italy): 39.88
As always, please let me know if you have any questions! I will do my best to answer them personally as soon as I have a moment, although it may take a while as I have disabled (Lead-poisoned) kiddos underfoot, 24/7 these days! Thank you for reading and thank you for sharing articles from the Lead Safe Mama website with your friends, families, and community!
Tamara Rubin
Owner — Lead Safe Mama, LLC
#LeadSafeMama
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of our links, Lead Safe Mama, LLC may receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting our advocacy work in this way.
Hey!
Thank you for this information! In regards to you recommendation for getting Libbey brand cups, I’ve seen that a large part of their inventory is ‘Made in Mexico.’
Is it still safe to get or should it be avoided?
Hi Ugo,
Libbey is an exception (to my “avoid things from Mexico” rule) and is generally safe. I don’t believe I have ever tested a Libbey brand glassware product that was positive for Lead in any amount, although also in my testing I have not noted the country of manufacture for most of the Libbey products (I don’t believe it is marked on the product itself, or at least I do not recall seeing any obvious country of origin markings on their products.)
Also perhaps to clarify – I never recommend any products that have decals or painted markings because the sourcing of the paint on the design can change an may have Lead in the future (even if a particular year of manufacture of the same product was Lead-free.)
Tamara
Hello Tamara,
I know you tested the Duralex color drinking glasses. I love them! However, I am in need of larger glasses for my family water drinking glasses at home. Do you think this option looks safe? Thank you for your help 🙂
Blessings,
Kimberly
Aflink: https://amzn.to/2JQFx0O
Hi Kimberly! Thanks for commenting.
I haven’t tested the colored Libbey glasses so I really cannot comment on those. I like 16 oz Ball jars personally (for most of my water and coffee and everything else too!): https://amzn.to/2HX7Ec1. (aflink)
Tamara
Have you tested any Aladdin glass jars, this one in particular? I just want to double-check before I brew Kombucha in it. Thanks!
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Aladdin-1-Gallon-Glass-Mason-Beverage-Dispenser/33965501
What do you think about glassware that is sold as lead-free crystal?
Dear Tamara,
I recently purchased a clear glass picture that resembles the old Hi-C picture in shape. It was made in Mexico and I bought it at Target. Do you know if this is a lead-free product?
Thanks in advance for all the work you do,
Debra Sue
Hi! I am looking into buying some Trendglas Jena (Formerly Jenaer glas) teapots and glass dishes from Germany. They sent me documentation which shows the lead level is <0.01, and cadmium as <0.001. The company advertises as lead-free. Would those amounts be a source of worry in your opinion? Thank you for your time and consideration.
Dear Tamara,
I’ve stumbled across your website when I have been trying to do research on lead and cadmium. Your website is very helpful. I wish we had more information about this topic. I got rid of enamel, glazed ceramic, old vintage Pyrex glassware from my in-laws, citrus squeezer from my kitchen. It is kind of sad, but I am committed to go plastic free and lead/cadmium free for our family’s health. Nothing is worth the cost of our health!
I have a Mikasa highball glass that we purchased 3 years ago.
Here is the link
https://www.amazon.com/Mikasa-Cheers-Metallic-Highball-18-Ounce/dp/B01A0J7JFE
Tamara, would you happen to know if this has any toxic material on it? Mikasa promotes their crystals to be lead-free, but I could not find anything on this particular type of glasses. Thank you.
Hi. Have you tested the crinkle version of Libbey drinking glasses? Wondering if this makes a difference?
Thank you
Hi I just purchased Recycled Stemless Wine Glasses from amici home on the world market website and I cant seem to find any information if these glasses contain lead or other harmful or toxic substances. Would you be able to help me out?
The link is
https://www.worldmarket.com/product/recycled+stemless+wine+glasses%2C+set+of+4.do?_br_psugg_q=recycled+glassware
Thank you for everything you do.
Hi Tamara, Thank you for taking the time to devote all your time and effort into researching and testing for the sake of better educating and informing the public. I was wondering if you have ever tested any Lenox glassware, particularly wine glasses, drinking glassware, and decanters. I purchased numerous of these items back in 2009 and now wonder if there is a way to know whether these items may have lead in them. I sent a message to Lenox regarding this concern and I am awaiting their response. I am wondering if there is any other way, outside of testing, to know whether glassware may have lead. Thank you for your help and time.
Hi Lorraine! Thanks for commenting. Do you recall if they were sold as “crystal” or specifically as “leaded crystal” when you purchased them? Most glassware is not marked with a brand or logo and I don’t have the time to research the origin of pieces based on patterns (in most cases) – so while I don’t recall testing Lenox glassware it is possible that I have.
Tamara
Hi,
Thanks for all your testing and articles. I was wondering if you knew about crisa glass. They say it’s safe, but is fron mexico.
Thanks!
Hi Robyn – I am not familiar with that.
T
Hi Tamara..as a wedding gift 30 years ago we received Mexican hand blown stemware
. Green tint…not sure if there is lead. Our daughter would like them for everyday use. Do you know or more importantly how can I test at home for lead? Do u suggest a kit?
You cannot test these at home. They are likely high Lead. In the absence of testing I would not use them.
Here’s one example: https://tamararubin.com/2017/02/starbucks-coffee-recycled-green-glass-tumbler-1732-ppm-lead/
Here’s a post about testing dishes: https://tamararubin.com/2017/02/ask-tamara-q-can-i-test-my-dishes-for-lead-with-a-leadcheck-swab-a-sometimes-but-not-always-click-to-read-more/
Here’s a post about things you can test at home:
https://tamararubin.com/2017/11/where/
Here’s a post about sending me something for testing:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara
Hello,
I recently fell in love with these drinking glasses found at Pottery Barn here:
https://www.potterybarn.com/products/jax-tumblers/?pkey=ceveryday-glasses
I love the thick blown glass look, but was concerned about lead. How can I test them for lead? Or have you tested these by chance? Thanks!
Hello,
Have you tested any of the colored glass from Duralex, other than the light blue?
Thank you!