When tested with an XRF instrument this Emma design white ceramic saucer Made in Portugal for the Pottery Barn label (which the owner says she purchased new c. 2012) had the following readings:
Bottom of saucer (logo area):
- Lead (Pb): 52 +/- 17 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 22,800 +/- 700 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 230 +/- 51 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,051 +/- 177 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 133 +/- 33 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 309 +/ 53 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 10,200 +/- 300 ppm
Food surface of saucer:
- Lead (Pb): 45 +/- 16 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 21,100 +/- 600 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 272 +/- 53 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 922 +/- 168 ppm
- Vanadium (V): 155 +/- 35 ppm
- Titanium (Ti): 292 +/ 52 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 8,990 +/- 267 ppm
Tests are science based and replicable. Each test was done for a minimum of 60 seconds with a freshly calibrated XRF instrument and repeated to confirm the levels found. All metals detected by the XRF instrument (testing in Consumer Goods mode) are listed above.
While dishes are not regulated for total Lead content as detectable with an XRF instrument a comparable standard to consider in evaluating Lead-safety in dishes is the standards for toys and other items used by children. Those items are considered safe as long as they fall below 90 ppm Lead in the paint, glaze or coating. At 52 ppm Lead this saucer is definitely within safe range by those standards and other similar standards (both European and American.)
While these are considered safe, I personally prefer to use completely Lead-free dishes in my home. Here’s my Amazon affiliate link* to the exact dishes I use every day in my home (a style and brand of dishes I have tested repeatedly over the years and found to be Lead-free – in the plain white options only): https://amzn.to/2NwxTJ1 [If you are interested in purchasing the dishes I use in my home, check the prices at Target before purchasing them on Amazon – as Target may have a better price.]
To see more “Made in Portugal” items I have tested, click here.
To see more Pottery Barn branded items I have tested, click here.
To see more white ceramic dishes I have tested, click here.
As always, thank you for reading and sharing my posts.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
The testing I report on here on my blog is a collaborative effort with the support of my readers. If you are interested in participating in this testing, please click here for more information about how that works.
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
*Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my links I may receive a small percentage of what you spend (usually 4 to 6%) at no extra cost to you.
Leave a Reply