Made in Japan “Field” vintage small bowl: 7,196 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids), 74 ppm Antimony + 226 ppm Arsenic.

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Japan” Field china bowl (I don’t know if Field is the brand or the pattern, and the exact year of manufacture of this dish is unknown at this time) had the following readings:

White center of food surface of bowl:

• Zinc (Zn): 46 +/- 17 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 2,948 +/- 231 ppm
• Bismuth (Bi): 52 +/- 11 ppm
• Vanadium (V): 111 +/- 22 ppm
• Titanium (Ti): 176 +/- 30 ppm

Decorative floral elements on interior (food surface) edge of bowl:

• Lead (Pb): 4,794 +/- 124 ppm
• Chromium (Cr): 504 +/- 73 ppm
• Antimony (Sb): 74 +/- 18 ppm
• Tin (Sn): 36 +/- 14 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 514 +/- 46 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 3,185 +/- 246 ppm
• Vanadium (V): 77 +/- 22 ppm
• Titanium (Ti): 213 +/- 36 ppm
• Silver (Ag): 25 +/- 6 ppm
• Cobalt (Co): 579 +/- 108 ppm

Decorative floral elements on the trim / outer edge of the bowl:

• Lead (Pb): 7,196 +/- 172 ppm
• Chromium (Cr): 613 +/- 81 ppm
• Antimony (Sb): 51 +/- 18 ppm
• Gold (Au): 520 +/- 65 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 978 +/- 63 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 5,291 +/- 309 ppm
• Vanadium (V): 80 +/- 23 ppm
• Titanium (Ti): 175 +/- 34 ppm
• Indium (In): 24 +/- 10 ppm
• Platinium (Pt): 144 +/- 67 ppm
• Cobalt (Co): 2,514 +/- 185 ppm

Back mark / logo on back of bowl:

• Lead (Pb): 1,600 +/- 50 ppm
• Arsenic (As): 226 +/- 35 ppm
• Barium (Ba): 1,293 +/- 229 ppm
• Zinc (Zn): 1,603 +/- 50 ppm
• Nickel (Ni): 114 +/- 20 ppm
• Iron (Fe): 1,825 +/- 88 ppm
• Bismuth (Bi): 87 +/- 22 ppm

Tests results are science-based and replicable. All tests are done for a minimum of 60 seconds unless otherwise noted. Tests are repeated multiple times to confirm the results, using a freshly calibrated XRF instrument testing in consumer goods mode. Metals not listed in above test results sets were not detected with testing done in “consumer goods mode”.

For context: How much Lead is too much Lead?

The amount of XRF detectable Lead (total Lead content) that is considered unsafe (and illegal) in an item manufactured today that is intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm Lead (or higher) in the paint, glaze or coating. Dishware is not regulated in this same way as it is not considered to be an item intended for use by children. Vintage and antique items are also not regulated for the presence of most toxic heavy metals (Antimony, Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic, etc.)

Some additional reading you may be interested in….

• To see more “Made in Japan” pieces I have tested, click here.
• To see more china I have tested, click here.

As always, thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.

Please let me me have any questions!

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama