2018 ‘Natural Life” Rainbow Unicorn Mug: 891 ppm Lead + 218 ppm Cadmium [90 ppm Lead is unsafe, 40 ppm Cadmium]

Well. I apologize in advance. I know I am going to break at least one heart with this post! [Just because something is in the shape of  a unicorn does NOT mean that it is free of toxic chemicals, lol!]

I tested several components of this mug, and stopped once I found high levels of cadmium and lead. Since there are so many colors in different combinations across this piece a comprehensive set of XRF test results for a piece like this would include a dozen or more sets of test results.

For tips to on choosing a non-toxic mug, click here.

Here are three of the components tested:

Unglazed Bottom of Unicorn’s Foot (see image below):

• Lead (Pb):  46 +/- 13 ppm
• Mercury (Hg): ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Arsenic (As):ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Cadmium (Cd): ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Tin (Sn): 52 +/- 15 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 559 +/- 49 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 5,976 +/- 352 ppm
• Bismuth (Bi): 93 +/- 15 ppm

To see more mugs I have tested, click here.

Main Part of Handle/Tail Of Unicorn (see image below):

• Lead (Pb): 891 +/- 47 ppm
• Cadmium (Cd):  ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Mercury (Hg): ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Arsenic (As): ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Barium (Ba): 435 +/- 63 ppm
• Antimony (Sb): 50 +/- 22 ppm
• Tin (Sn): 44 +/- 18 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 12,400 +/- 400 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 1,186 +/- 190 ppm
• Vandium (V): 2,694 +/- 1,126 ppm
• Zirconium (Zr): 6,128 +/- 183 ppm

To learn more about XRF testing, click here.

Bottom of Handle (more reds and yellows in this test):

• Lead (Pb):  238 +/- 30 ppm
• Cadmium (Cd): 218 +/- 18 ppm
• Arsenic (As): ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Mercury (Hg): ND/Non-Detect/Negative
• Barium (Ba): 562 +/- 73 ppm
• Tin (Sn): 1,173 +/- 54 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 13,000 +/- 500 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 993 +/- 194 ppm
• Zirconium (Zr): 6,430 +/- 206 ppm

As with almost all of my posts, I provide these XRF test results for informational purposes so that you can make informed choices as a consumer. I am not saying that this mug will necessarily poison the user, I am just reporting on the XRF test results for this item.

If you CAN choose lead-free and cadmium-free products for your home, my advice is that you should do just that. There is no reason for lead and cadmium to be in our dishes (and especially not our coffee mugs that we use every day, several times a day!)

To learn more about cadmium toxicity, click here.

Simple solutions:

1. Stick with handmade ceramic mugs from a potter you know personally (a potter who uses lead free glazes!)
2. Buy clear glass mugs (here’s a link good option on Amazon*)
3. Keep your unicorn decorations to your walls (vs. having them on your kitchenware!)

As always, 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.