When testing the World War II era food storage tins (using XRF technology) I found that they were painted with high lead paint.
Please take a close look at the photo (below) and see how much of the paint has worn off of these canisters over the years.
To learn more about XRF testing, click here.
I did several readings for these tins and found the following results:
- Lead (Pb): 2,272 +/- 266 ppm – Reading One
- Lead (Pb): 1,671 +/- 172 ppm – Reading Two
- Lead (Pb): 2,945 +/- 199 ppm – Reading Three
- Mercury (Hg): Negative/ Non-Detect
- Arsenic (As): Negative/ Non-Detect
- Cadmium (Cd): Negative/ Non-Detect
Two of the readings were also positive for Chromium:
- Chromium (Cr): 2,586 +/- 943 ppm – Reading One
- Chromium (Cr): 3,321 +/- 1,292 ppm – Reading Two
No other metals were detected.
To see more items I have tested with an XRF instrument, click here.
I personally would not have ANYTHING like this in my home and I especially would not use it for any kind of food storage. I would give this a “Grade F”.
Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
If you would like to make a contribution in support of my independent consumer goods testing, click here.
Have you found any good food storage canisters for flour, sugar, etc?
Hi Diana,
hmmm – let me get back to you with a link or two!
Thanks for commenting!
Tamara
I’m looking for a storage canister to keep my coffee air tight. I like the stainless steel ones and the ceramic ones. I know you don’t recommend that water remains in a stainless water bottle over night or to keep anything acidic in stainless. Would the same apply to whole bean or ground coffee? Would ceramic canisters contain unwanted metals?