This is a summary with links to all articles with XRF toxicant testing of gardening-related items!
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 2023 (March 2023 print edition).
Introduction
For each article I write, there are category keyword tabs at the top of the piece (see above). Each of those words is a link to the category, and you can get to that category overview (to see all articles in that category) anytime, by clicking on any of those words. In this example, that would be the word “Gardening” or “#Gardening,” above.
I am working on writing summary pieces for each category (like this one), so readers will be able to see all my articles written for some of the more popular categories on the website, easily (at a glance). This is my first attempt at this, so feedback is welcome. Please let me know if these summary pieces are helpful. Thank you!
And without further ado… our Gardening-related articles (each numbered line below is a link to a piece with photos and more information, including — in most pieces — XRF test results for the item discussed). Check back on this page for periodic new additions to each of these categories (as new articles are added to the website).
Topic #1) General Gardening Articles
- Tamara’s tips for a Lead-safe urban lawn/ yard/ garden.
- Seedles wildflower seed-balls: Lead-free!
- Overview on hoses.
- Tamara’s discount code for Lead-free hoses!
Topic #2) Gardening Tools
Topic #3) Hoses & Hose Hardware
- Modern Black & Silver Hose Spray Nozzle: 26,900 ppm Lead
- 2017 Walmart Brass Hose Nozzle: 39,500 ppm Lead
- Vintage Hose Bibb Handle: 1,615 ppm Lead
- Vintage Brass Hose Nozzle: 28,900 ppm Lead
- Hose from California: 22,300 ppm Lead
- Hose from Oregon: 741 ppm Lead
- 2017 Walmart Hose: 52 ppm Lead in green plastic
- Lead-free Made in USA (Oregon, actually!) hoses! (Discount code here).
- Purple Lead-free hose with stainless steel hardware (Made in USA)!
Topic #4) Soil Testing
As always, thank you for reading.
Thank you for being here, and thank you for sharing this work!
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
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I can not see if you have found any lead free hose nozzles or wand sprayers.
Hi Tamara,
Thank you so much for your work! This is a great post; any tips for finding lead free ceramic pots?
My family and I live in the city and so I like to plant some cooking herbs in small planters that can sit in the kitchen. Any recommendations would be much appreciated, thank you again!
Hi!
Thank you for your work!
Have you ever tested green studded t-posts? From what I can find so far, they are coated with rust-resistant water-based baked enamel paint. I know lead was previously added to enamel paints but trying to determine if lead is still found in enamels today. Some sources say yes and others say no. Trying to determine if they are safe to use near our garden.
Thank you!