Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2020
I hadn’t previously tested for / looked for Arsenic or Antimony in vintage clear glass Pyrex items. This is the first piece I have tested of vintage clear glass Pyrex where I noticed (and recorded) these two metals. I am going to do further inquiry in to this, specifically to see if this is an anomaly or if I am able to find other examples of vintage clear glass Pyrex that have tested positive Arsenic and Antimony.
Center of food surface of dish
- Arsenic (As): 866 +/- 61 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 2,284 +/- 726 ppm
- Antimony (Sb): 8,376 +/- 395 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 107 +/- 55 ppm
- Second Arsenic reading: 798 +/- 43 ppm
Tamara Rubin
#LeadSafeMama
This is concerning to me as I have several glass baking dishes/mixing bowls from my grandparents that we use regularly because I thought glass would be safe. We have one Pyrex and several FireKing, including one FireKing bowl that looks very similar to the one you tested from Pyrex.
Same here. The vintage Pyrex is also so heavy duty and don’t explode or break easily. I love them.
By vintage, how old do you mean? I have a pair of small Casseroles w lid, that look very similar to these. I got them in the early 90s. Should I be concerned?
Vintage is 20 years old or older to 99 yrs, up to Antique, which is 100 yrs or older.
Well this is concerning. I am interested in knowing too
I’m curious about this as well, although I use it in a workshop, not in home cooking.
Wondering under what circumstances these chemicals would be transferred to the body- during handling? Washing? Only hot or while heating? Only if food that has been in one is ingested?
Just seeking better understanding of what is and isn’t problematic with these. Thanks!
Now I am wondering if I should continue to use one similar to this. The only difference being my handles are wider. They are 2 & 3/4 inches long- your dish handles look about an inch(?)
The bottom says “Anchor Hocking 20 oz. Oven & Microwave safe USA 8 – 1036
I use it as a dog’s water bowl. Do you think arsenic would sleep into standing water? She’s a small dog, so would have more effect if so.
Thank you Tamara
I would be interested in donating to you my clear Pyrex casseroles, and pie plates, if you would like them to check against the casserole in this article. They are from the 1930s-1950s. I also have clear Westinghouse baking dishes 1940s era if you would like to check them. I am in Oregon also, maybe we could arrange to meet instead of shipping? Thank you for all you do!
Thank you Katrina. I will be on the road until at least October 1st – but check back with me in October and that might work out.
Tamara
Hi Tamara, curious what your schedule is these days. I still have the 1930-1950s clear glass baking dishes earlier referenced if you are interested in testing them. Thank you for all you do!
I am thinking of buying pyrex cookware from the 1980’s should i be concerened. Trying to get away from stainless. Have you tested the pyrex stovetop cookware.
I use the small 10 oz version of these for my small dog’s water and food bowls. I would be interested in any follow up testing. I was trying to avoid stainless and thought the glass was safe 🙁
I’m also interested in any follow-up on the clear Pyrex. I have a lot of it from my grandmother, and would love to know more.
I have a 3 piece Pyrex mixing bowl set that are clear faintly colored glass, pink green & blue. I don’t know for sure how old they are. I bought them at a yard sale probably 20 years or more ago. I’ve been using them because I thought they were safe because they have no painting on them. Do you know if this type of Pyrex glass contains harmful metals? I have 2 young grandsons (2 & 4) that I enjoy cooking for & would really appreciate knowing if I need to get rid of these for their safety. Thank you so much for the work you do to help make our homes safer.
Hi Sandra – I don’t think I have tested those. The vintage clear Pyrex that has high levels of Arsenic is much older than that I think (probably closer to 40 years old.)
I did just find this Anchor Hocking 10-bowl set for under $23.00 (on sale today!) – aflink: https://amzn.to/3lAgYpn
It’s a pretty inexpensive option to be 100% certain!
Tamara
Oh wow… I used to have one very similar…. if not identical. Thank you for all you do!
I am in the midst of getting rid of a patterned pyrex collection, and a bit dismayed to see the clear is testing for heavy metals as well. Have you by chance tested any of the federal glass refrigerator dishes? I’d thought clear glass was a safe bet, but now I’m concerned.
Have to run more tests on clear dishes? I like others in the comments above thought clear dishes would be safe. I am concerned since I have a one year old son and just inherited a ton of clear glass cookware (along with patterned pyrex that we will definitely not be using). I had hopes to keep the clear glass.
Is new pyrex usually ok? Mine has a slight green tint around the rim (purchased at target).
Have you ever tested the Pyrex rectangular baking dishes or round covered stock pots that have a brown tint in the glass? There are no other paintings or markings. Thanks so much!