Arzberg white ceramic dinner plate, made in Germany – c. 1987 – 1992: Lead-safe when tested with an XRF instrument [55 ppm].

When tested with an XRF instrument, the white ceramic Arzberg (Germany) dish pictured here (purchased by the owner at Crate & Barrel sometime between 1987 and 1992) had the following readings…

Bottom of plate (over logo area):

• Lead (Pb): 55 +/- 13 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 2,497 +/- 219 ppm
• Bismuth (Bi): 52 +/- 12 ppm
• Vanadium (V): 149 +/- 27 ppm
• Titanium (Ti): 479 +/- 51 ppm

Food surface of plate:

• Lead (Pb): 40 +/- 11 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 1,897 +/- 187 ppm
• Bismuth (Bi): 58 +/- 11 ppm
• Vanadium (V): 140 +/- 23 ppm
• Titanium (Ti): 399 +/- 42 ppm

Testing was done for a minimum of 60 seconds for each test done. Tests were repeated multiple times to confirm the results. Test results (which are generated using non-destructive XRF technology) are science-based and replicable.

To learn more about XRF testing, click here.

To learn more about the concern for Lead in dishware, click here.

This Arzberg dinner plate falls within the “Lead-safe” range. The range of 29 to 68 ppm Lead (taking into account the margin of error for each reading above) would be considered safe by all standards, both United States and European. For context, the amount of Lead (as detectable with an XRF instrument) that is considered unsafe for newly manufactured items intended for use by children today is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher (in the paint, glaze or coating). Even within the margin of error for each of the tests done, this particular dish falls well below the 90 ppm mark.

While I personally have chosen 100% Lead-free dishes to use in my home with my family, if I was visiting your house and you served me dinner on these plates I would not have any concern for and would graciously accept the meal you brought me!

Thank you also to Julia for sending in her dish for testing, and for helping to cover the cost of the testing. By sending her dish in for testing, Julia made it possible for this information to be shared on this website, adding to the database of more than 1,800 items that have been tested and reported on here on this blog. Together in this way (with the help of my readers), we are generating a central source for consumers to access free information about the relative safety (from a toxicant perspective) of items they have in their homes and use every day.

I couldn’t do what I do without the support of my readers.

If you are interested in participating in the testing I do, click here (or click the “Participate” link on the top menu-bar!)

Here’s an Amazon affiliate link* to the exact Lead–free plates I use in my home (please know that the Amazon price for these particular plates is not always the best price, and I encourage you to check out the comparable set at Target once you have chosen a set – as Target often has deals (online and in-store) for the exact same items at a much better price): https://amzn.to/2HkXYXD

Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.

Please let me know if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them!

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama

*Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of my affiliate links I may receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. In the past 12 months I have averaged about $34.27 cents each day in Amazon affiliate income earnings.