Galvanized Napkin Ring
From Target’s Hearth & Hand With Magnolia
by Chip & Joanna Gaines:
591 ppm Lead.
Related: #AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead?
This is another piece from the Hearth & Hand with Magnolia collection on Target’s website.
Galvanized metal (or metal that has a “galvanized look”) is almost always positive for high levels of Lead. The only exception I have seen to this rule is “galvanized look” items sold by Ikea.
As a result I anticipated that this napkin ring would be positive for at least some amount of Lead.
The XRF test results for the napkin ring pictured here were as follows (each test done was at least 60 seconds long and multiple tests were done on each component to confirm the levels.):
Galvanized Silver Colored Main Metal:
- Lead (Pb): 339 +/- 122 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Arsenic (As): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Barium (Ba): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Chromium (Cr): 588 +/- 120 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Selenium (Se): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Zinc (Zn): 740,500 +/- 7,900 ppm
- Copper (Cu): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Iron (Fe): 252,300 +/- 2,800 ppm
- Vandium (V): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Titanium (Ti): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Zirconium (Zr): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Cobalt (Co): 5,246 +/- 829 ppm
- Magnesium (Mn): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
NOTE: compared to other similar items I have tested, this is a fairly low level of lead to be found in galvanized metal. For example the duct work in most homes with forced air heating systems if often made of galvanized metal and ductwork metal is usually positive for Lead at levels between 10,000 ppm and 30,000 ppm.
Click HERE for a link to some other galvanized items I have tested.
Golden Colored Accents:
In testing the gold part, since it is thinner than the scope of the XRF instrument some of the silver colored part of the metal is included in the reading.
- Lead (Pb): 591 +/- 149 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Arsenic (As): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Barium (Ba): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Chromium (Cr): 588 +/- 120 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Selenium (Se): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Tin (Sn): 337 +/- 109 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 400,800 +/- 2,700 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 577,600 +/- 3,100 ppm
- Nickel (Ni): 789 +/- 193 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 18,200 +/- 700 ppm
- Vandium (V): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Titanium (Ti): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Zirconium (Zr): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Cobalt (Co): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
- Magnesium (Mn): Non-Detect (ND) / Negative
While I would never use these in my home (especially given galvanized metal almost always also tests positive with a reactive agent testing method – like a LeadCheck swab*) I have more of a concern with the galvanized “chargers” from this same collection (see image below).
I have not tested these chargers yet, but they appear to be made of exactly the same materials as the napkin ring.
The problem with the charger is that while its INTENDED use is to go UNDER a plate (as the base of a place setting, for decorative purposes), the very nature of it looking like a plate lends it to possible misuse as a plate or serving platter that people might use to put food directly on for serving.
This is a significant problem with lead levels as high as I found on this napkin ring for the following reasons:
- It’s possible to have quite a variation of lead levels in galvanized items [so the charger levels might even be higher than what I found the napkin ring].
- Galvanized item often test positive with a reactive agent test – (indicating the lead could potentially wear off onto any food placed on the surface of the charger.)
As soon as someone chips in enough so that I can purchase the charger, I will order one shipped to me and test that as well to confirm the levels.
As always, thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
To see more ceramic items I have tested for Lead, Click Here.
To read more about my concern for Lead in pottery and dishware, Click Here.
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links I will receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my advocacy work in this way. 
Do you notify Magnolia (Chip & Joanna Gaines) & Pioneer Woman of your findings? If you don’t tell them, I will.
Go for it! I would love help with that. I think Mike at Safer Chemicals is also going to talk to Target. Thank you.
I’ve written to Target as well. They claim that they follow Prop 65 IN CALIFORNIA – but I asked their customer serivce : Does that mean you simply do not care about the rest of us in the United States? I understand California is very strict — and not all people around the country worry or care (!) but if it’s lead and cadmium and arsenic then everyone should be protected — Karen I would love to hear what their response is. Now I’m happy I wrote, perhaps if more of us write to Target, etc. about how we would like them to finally start acting responsively to protect their customers and especially their children, MAYBE IN THIS EARLY PART of a new Century we can make some changes take place. dsl
You mentioned that “galvanized look” items from Ikea are safe. What about actual galvanized steel kitchen towel holder from IKEA?