Because really no one should BOTHER actually reading Snopes (in the past they have both tried to discredit my findings [vintage Pyrex] AND used my findings as a source to prove something is true [Walmart jelly shoes, fidget spinners]), below is an “info-graphic” that I made with the highlights of the article….and even though the article still is yellow journalism and makes an attempt to discredit me both by not mentioning relevant facts and information and mentioning totally irrelevant “facts” and information – it’s still pretty cool that it starts out with the following sentence:
“A frequently recurring item in Snopes’ inbox is the question “is this true?” combined with a link to a post by Tamara Rubin, the self-described “Lead Safe Mama.” Rubin has made a career out of testing household items for lead with the aim of raising awareness that lead exists in a variety of products which children, who are more prone to the effects of lead poisoning, could potentially come into contact with. Such items often include vintage cookware or toys created before the implementation of stronger lead regulations, as well as other household products.”
DUDE! Questions about my work are “a frequently recurring item in Snopes’ inbox” – LOL! That’s cool all by itself.
Tamara Rubin
That woman who allegedly goes by the self-described moniker #LeadSafeMama
And for this info-graphic I chose a selection of photos that they COULD have used as the highlighted image on their post but instead they used an unflattering screenshot from Vimeo…. (because an ugly old woman picture better illustrates their attempts to discredit me – even though in the end their article fully validates my work! LOL!)
Here’s an actual screenshot of the front page (more to come on this subject shortly).
Wow! So they actually admitted that you were right, that’s wonderful! 🙂
You mentioned Walmart jelly shoes?
When I was little, I got blood poisoning from wearing jelly shoes. They rubbed a blister on my foot and then I developed a red streak running up my leg. :/
Those shoes are toxic junk!
Yikes! I am so sorry that happened to you Miranda!
Tamara
I’m sorry, but when I Googled this issue the *only* result was you. That isn’t enough for me to dump my measuring cups. I believe in being cautious but not paranoid.
Hi Melissa,
Thank you for commenting.
I am a pioneer in this work. I was the “only one” talking about Lead in fidget spinners until it became national news and everyone was talking about it. Someone has to be “first”… in this case it is me: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fidget-spinners-high-levels-of-lead-consumer-advocacy-organization-report/
Here are two scientific studies supporting my findings:
1) From 2018: https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/many-second-hand-plastic-toys-could-pose-a-risk-to-childrens-health-study-suggests-feb-2018/
2) From 2015: https://tamararubin.com/2019/03/scientific-research-paper-from-2015-confirming-the-presence-of-toxicants-in-vintage-plastics/
Tamara
Well, Melissa, very few people actually care a great deal about lead safety as Tamara does, and no one else has ever bothered to test these items using an XRF instument, as she has – so there you go! Continue your journey of willful ignorance and have a great day! 🙂
Melissa: Remember when cigarettes were prescribed by physicians for their “health benefits?” DDT used to be a wonderful pesticide to spray all over one’s children. Asbestos used to be “non-toxic.” Cocaine cough syrup was for decades the go to of many parents for a child’s lingering cough.
The popularity of a belief does not signify accuracy.
Trailblazers don’t follow the herd. Someone has to be “first.” That doesn’t mean they’re wrong, that just means they’re beyond their time. 😉
Thank you so much for your comment, Leanna!
Tamara
You can always test them yourself… Contact your local university, purchase 3M swabs, hire a company to come to your home with an XRF machine able to test in consumer goods more. I don’t understand why everyone naysays Tamara when with a little bit a digging they can find ways to test their own stuff. Just because you don’t like her findings, doesn’t mean they are not accurate.