When tested with an XRF instrument this yellow hand juicer / citrus juicer / lemon squeezer had the following readings:
- Lead (Pb): 658 +/- 45 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 7,731 +/- 336 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 213 +/- 25 ppm
- Gold (Au): 259 +/- 101 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 4,401 +/- 212 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 2,544 +/- 161 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,245 +/- 239 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 23,900 +/- 900 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 104,000 +/- 3,800 ppm
- Magnesium (Mn): 2,502 +/- 489 ppm
This piece was negative for Arsenic, Cadmium and Mercury (if a metal is not listed above it was not detected.).
Most juicers like this that I have tested have been positive for high levels of Lead. Click HERE to see a few more examples.
Because these items are frequently subjected to the acids of citrus juices in normal expected use of the item, I am not comfortable with the levels of Lead I have found in nearly every example of one these (except all-stainless ones.) The painted ones like this are all also usually peeling or chipping (or at least showing quite a bit of wear) in the painted surfaces – especially the areas where the fruit goes to be squeezed.
As a result I recommend avoiding this type of hand juicer/ lemon squeezer (even if it has a paint or coating that is in good shape.)
For context: the amount of Lead that is considered toxic in the paint or coating of a modern item manufactured and intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating and anything 100 ppm Lead (or higher) in the substrate – as detectable with an XRF instrument.
Dishware and cookware (including things like juicers) are not generally regulated for total Lead content as detectable with an XRF instrument.
As always, thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
As a mom of a LO who hit 18 μg/dL recently, we’ve been scouring our home for possible exposures. We don’t hit any high risk categories and we started thinking it must be our water until I talked to a state heath representative. She quickly asked if I had a citrus juicer and didn’t elaborate. Thinking things sold to cook with must be safe to mouth, my daughter had access to a citrus juicer exactly like this in her pretend play box. Now I’m thinking we may have found the culprit. So glad I found your blog!
Oh that’s possible. A BLL of 18 is not likely from the water. Please watch my movie for more answers, it is on YouTube for free right now.