When tested with an XRF instrument the vintage (vintage is 20+ years officially, so yes – 1997 is vintage!) ceramic mug pictured here tested positive for the following metals when tested with an XRF instrument:
White undecorated elements of mug (including inside of mug):
- Barium (Ba): 2,405 +/- 276 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 3,843 +/- 303 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 33,400 +/- 1,900 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 229 +/- 108 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 809 +/- 339 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 12,800 +/- 800 ppm
- Metals not detected (in consumer goods / test all mode) are not listed.
Exterior decorative elements of the mug:
- Lead (Pb): 11,400 +/- 400 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 615 +/- 43 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 2,547 +/- 180 ppm
- Chromium (Cr): 345 +/- 115 ppm
- Tin (Sn): 4,139 +/- 209 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 25,700 +/- 900 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 244 +/- 67 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,019 +/- 221 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 814 +/- 100 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 6,240 +/- 371 ppm
- Zirconium (Zn): 12,800 +/- 500 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 249 +/- 113 ppm
Second exterior reading focused on a primarily red area of the decoration had a Cadmium (Cd) level at 1,251 +/- 75 ppm.
Remember, for context: 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating of an item is considered unsafe for newly manufactured items intended for use by children.
As always, thank you for reading and for sharing my posts. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
Uggghh…I have these from the 60’s/70’s (grew up with them) and still use them. Guess they’re going too. 🙁
Hi Cheryll,
Thank you for commenting. The older ones are MUCH higher Lead. Here’s an example: https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/campbells-soups-salute-america-1976-ceramic-soup-mug-65300-ppm-lead-882-ppm-cadmium-mm-mmm-lead-is-good-food-not/
Definitely not something I would consider holding on to.
Tamara
Oh my, I have 4 of these too. I think they were from a mail in special offer of Maxim coffee I used to drink. I have been using the mugs for years and loved them. No more! Thanks for the great info. Off to the trash they go.
Talking about content is step one. The important thing to talk about is transmission. How does the lead get from the object into a person. Please link to the science. Scary headlines meant to induce fear are propoganda, not actual education
Hi John,
On this blog I specifically only discuss total Lead content, so people can know about potential concerns and make a choice to either use something, not use something, or pay for leach testing if they need additional information to make that choice. Here’s a post that discusses the concern more: https://tamararubin.com/topics/does-vintage-and-new-functional-pottery-and-dishware-have-unsafe-levels-of-lead/
Tamara
No one is posting “Scary headlines meant to induce fear…” here, you must be on the wrong website!
Tamara, thank you for the research you do to help consumers like me make safer choices for their and their family’s health.
I recieved a set for Christmas one year….not sure the year, but when in doubt…
So, to be clear, the OUTSIDE decoration of the cup is where most of the lead is? I have been using these since 1997. They are quite worn on the inside, too. Do I need to get rid of them? Can I consider clear or clear colored glass safe, or do I need to investigate every product I buy?
So are you saying when we eat from this bowl we are getting lead in our system? Or does it have to be worn out. Humm just wondering? Pauline
have you tested any from 2004?
marked : Produced for Houston Market gift products, LLC
Made in China
Franklin Park, Il
copyright 2004 & TM CSC
all rights reserved
item #31359
Hi – sorry – I do not have that information – here’s another one:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/campbells-soups-salute-america-1976-ceramic-soup-mug-65300-ppm-lead-882-ppm-cadmium-mm-mmm-lead-is-good-food-not/
If you want to participate in the testing reported on this blog – here’s how that works:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara
Like another person, am I understanding correctly that these vintage soup mugs are safe to use because the lead content is only found on the exterior decorative trim and is not leaching lead into the soup inside the mug as it is heated in a microwave?
No that’s not correct. Please read this post: https://tamararubin.com/2020/07/if-the-lead-is-only-on-the-outside-of-my-dish-measuring-cup-mixing-bowl-etc-why-does-it-matter-that-it-has-lead/
Tamara