Lead Safe Mama


· 38 Comments

#LeadSafeMama’s site index, with links to everything we’ve tested, by category

Directory· Index

For those new to this website:

Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic). Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February of 2023 (March 2023 print edition).

Originally Published on January 26, 2018
Updated: December 28, 2019

Click on one of the words below to see a list of all articles related to that word! (I’ll work on making this look prettier soon and will add more categories here, too!) There are more categories than those listed below. At the top of each article is a list of categories that the piece falls under (see image below). If you click on any of those words you will find a summary of all articles also tagged with those words. (I’m still working on making all of the links live, but you can search for each of these words in the search bar on the site in the meantime if you like!)

Lead-Free Choices

Categories of things we have tested with an XRF:

Scroll down to see all of the categories listed below:
Toys, Toys by Brand, China, Holidays, Musical Instruments, Country of Origin, Contaminants, Mugs, Vinyl, Figurines, Baking, Utensils, Tea Kettles, Pots & Pans, Tools, Bottles, Water Bottles, Glass, Food Storage, Stainless Steel, Jewelry — and more!

Reader Interactions

Comments

      • Gina says

        Yes! Would love to hear about instapot, crockpots, microwave vegetable steamers, and stovetop vegetable steamers. Thank you for your work!

        Reply

        • Tamara says

          Hi Gina –

          Thank you for commenting.

          There are several posts related to those subjects. Just put “Instapot” in the search bar or “Crock pot” in the search bar and read through the search results for those terms.

          Tamara

          Reply

  6. Irina says

    Hi Tamara,

    Thank you SO much for your help!!!!

    One more thing that is maybe worth testing is silicone ‘zip’ bags as they are becoming more and more popular. It is a nice alternative to plastic. I’ve read about this here: https://wellnessmama.com/25952/silicone-safe-for-baking/ And when we talk about ‘fillers’ and ‘colours’ who knows what could someone use! Did you test or have come across more on this subject?

    Thanks again 🙂

    Reply

  9. Dude says

    Can you recommend a (18/0 free of nickle) stainless stock pot of which is also free of lead, cadmium etc.?

    Reply

  10. Lisa CORNFORTH says

    I really value your work. I worked for a few years as a chemist in the oil field. We ground up sample cores from oil and gas wells and used Xray Diffraction and Xray fluorescence to analyze them. Years later, when living near the headquarters of Wal Mart there was also a test facility that analyzed dishes that were going on their shelves. Your mission is truly helping families. The subject of exposure to metals has me thinking about dark colors of hair dye being absorbed through the scalp. I never considered it to be a problem before until I heard that people were buying special shampoos for the problem of hair thinning. These shampoos are to be left on the scalp a few minutes before rinsing. The implication is that there is extra time for absorption of the ingredients. Also, since there are heavy metals being found in cosmetics, such as eye shadow, lipstick, and face powders, I wondered if you knew of any resources about metal content in hair color products?

    Reply

    • Tamara says

      Good question Lisa! My friend just wrote a book about this and I told her I would do a write up for my blog, I will link it here as soon as I have that post up.
      Thank you for commenting.

      Reply

      • Michaela says

        Hello. First of all, thank you so much for all of this wonderful information you provide. I was wondering about “forged” stainless steel knife sets and silverware. Would these be toxic in any way during the forging process? Thank you.

        Reply

      • Danielle says

        Hi Tamara, do you remember the name of your friends book she wrote? Thank you
        (replying to your comment 30 May 2019 re hair dye absorption etc).

        Reply

  11. Kelly says

    Wondering about the light blue Daisy? Pattern Corelle. It is old, I’ve had it 30+ years, still using it. I can take a picture if there is some place I can upload.

    Reply

  13. Christina says

    Does anyone know if Corningware French White casserole dishes are safe? (The older Pyroceram ones, not the newer ones made of stoneware.) Thank you

    Reply

  14. Brenda W says

    I have some if the toxic plates and bowls. Hiw do I dispose of them?? I have Googled it and it said just to put in the garbage. But wouldn’t that contaminate the ground and possibly water?? Not sure what to do with them. I have 24 plates and 15 bowls 🙁

    Reply

  16. Sheri A Garrett says

    I am heartbroken seeing an archived post about Metlox Poppyware. My mother gave me hers after being stored for decades so they have sentimental value. They are the raised daisy pattern. I had hoped to use them and hope you have updated info? They are beautiful.
    Thank you SO much for any info you have

    Reply

  17. Laura Flaxman says

    The link to “Lead free Citrus Juicers” isn’t working. Would love to know your recommendation- I use mine all the time! Thanks!

    Reply

  19. Pam Mattulke says

    Thanks for all your helpful information. I have a beautiful full set of my mother’s Royal Doulton Pastorale H.5002 (made in England ) fine Bone china purchase around ~year 1973. Can you please tell me if these dishes set contains lead. I am unable to find out much about this dish pattern set. My understanding is that all fine bone china is made from materials and processed without lead content. Thanks for a reply.

    Reply

  20. Rebecca says

    Hello, thank you for all you do! I am curious if you have tested the Ikea cheap glass dishes – the corelle mimics? Or any of the Ikea dishes?

    Thanks so much!

    Reply

  22. Stephanie Hanson says

    How about bread machines, best brand with no lead ?
    How about reviews on Aldi brands of kitchen appliances, Ambiano , if they have contaminants? Please & thank you!

    Reply

  23. Eva Bonar says

    Hi Tamara,
    I can’t find any info regarding GreenPan Jewel 3 piece set, it says healthy ceramic nonstick. Toxin free: free of PFAS, PFOA, LEAD and CADMIUM. I remember seeing, on your site a few years ago, info regarding the old style GreenPans, but can’t find anything now.
    Thank you,
    Eva

    Reply

  24. Linda says

    HELP! I just waited ONE HOUR on phone with Kitchenaid for attachment stainless replacements. I was transferred to another number, I promptly used your script and she hung up!! Now what????????????/

    Linda

    Reply

  25. kiko denzer says

    Hi, Tamara, Please add me to the long list of grateful parents/concerned citizens. I was aware of the dangers of lead, but your documentary clarified so much and made it all very specific. So I bought test swabs; some beautiful old salvage lumber was, unfortunately, painted with lead. That’s an easy fix. Now I’m dealing with old clawfoot tubs that have also tested positive for lead. First, I’m wondering about the level of risk, as we’re not eating from them. Second, do you have any experience or advice with products designed to cover/renew old porcelain finishes? Such as: Ekopel-Bathtub-Refinishing-Kit-Reglazing

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Don’t Miss Out!