2012 Pottery Barn Emma Made In Portugal White Ceramic Saucer: 52 +/- 17 ppm Lead (Pb). Safe by all standards.

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.

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Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama