2019 satin Nickel finish rectangular flush drawer pull by Classic Brass: 1,768 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids’ items.]

When tested with an XRF instrument this 2019 satin Nickel finish drawer pull by Classic Brass (pictured here) had the following readings:

Front surface of drawer pull:

Lead (Pb): 1,768 +/- 257 ppm
Chromium (Cr): 377 +/- 170 ppm
Tin (Sn): 1,293 +/- 148 ppm
Zinc (Zn): 7,011 +/- 860 ppm
Copper (Cu): 214,300 +/- 2,100 ppm
Nickel (Ni): 772,000 +/- 2,300 ppm
Iron (Fe): 1,189 +/- 236 ppm

Back plate of drawer pull:

Lead (Pb): 295 +/- 124 ppm
Zinc (Zn): 26,200 +/- 1,300 ppm
Copper (Cu): 323,100 +/- 2,300 ppm
Nickel (Ni): 648,300 +/- 2,600 ppm
Iron (Fe): 602 +/- 202 ppm

Test results are science-based, replicable and accurate. Testing has been done for a minimum of 60 seconds per test, with tests repeated multiple times (for each component) to confirm the accuracy of the results. A freshly-calibrated high-precision XRF instrument that is specifically designed and configured for testing consumer goods is used for all test results reported on this website.

Tamara what do you think of this as a choice?

The drawer-pull sent directly to me from “Classic Brass” (in 2019) was positive for a fairly high level of Lead — not nearly as high as the hinges (separate post, will be linked shortly), but still significant, especially considering it is an item that is touched/handled on a regular basis (and one could expect the finish to wear over time.)

The interesting thing about the drawer-pull is that the back section (the flat oval plate that is screwed on to the back side) is relatively low-Lead. It is the more-accessible main body (the component that is more readily touched and interacted with) that is positive for a much higher level of Lead. These are also intended to be on cabinets that are at child height – so from that perspective are also not ideal.

As with the hinges, I don’t imagine that new this presents any immediate hazard, but I do have concerns about long-term implications — especially given the fact that this was being considered as an option for a new-construction–build home – and accordingly, there is an opportunity to use 100% Lead-free components.

How much Lead is “too much” Lead?

For context, the amount of XRF-detectable Lead that is considered unsafe (and illegal) in a newly-manufactured item “intended for use by children” is anything 90 ppm or higher in the paint, glaze or coating, and anything 100 ppm or higher in the substrate. Hardware (like drawer pulls, hinges and door knobs) is not covered by this regulatory standard (for total Lead content as detectable with an XRF instrument), because regulatory agencies do not consider these items to be “items intended for use by children” unless they are expressly sold as baby items (like pulls for a pre-assembled dresser specifically sold by the manufacturer as a baby dresser).

Some additional reading….

As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading and for sharing my posts.

Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama

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One Comment

Allie says:

November 28, 2020 at 4:29 pm

Was this on the surface of the handle or all components in general? We are trying to figure out if we should change our hardware. New construction home with zinc hardware throughout the home (looks like they have California prop 65 for lead). I don’t know if this is exposing to lead by touching or if it’s the lead that would only exposed if the bronze finish is worn off?