Here’s the general introduction I provide on a lot of my posts, for those who may be new to (or have possibly “stumbled upon”) my work – while just casually browsing, or conducting more serious research:
Here’s the general introduction I provide on a lot of my posts, for those who may be new to (or have possibly “stumbled upon”) my work – while just Tamara Rubin is an internationally recognized, Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009, and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. She uses XRF testing (a scientific method used by the Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for metallic toxicants (including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, and Arsenic). All test results reported here on LeadSafeMama.com are science-based, accurate and replicable. To read more about the testing methodology employed for the test results reported on this blog, please click this link.
Reading #1) orange glaze
60-second reading
Not safe for food use
- Lead (Pb): 12,300 +/- 100 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 258 +/- 6 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): non-detect
- Bromine (Br): non-detect
- Chromium (Cr): 254 +/- 103 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 2,657 +/- 77 ppm
- Cobalt (Co): 104 +/- 26 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 224 +/- 16 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 11,700 +/- 100 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 7,921 +/- 93 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 1,621 +/- 31 ppm
- Platinum (Pt): 53 +/- 32 ppm
- No other metals detected in consumer goods mode.
Reading #2) orange glaze – interior of cup
60-second reading
- Lead (Pb): 18,700 +/- 200 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 412 +/- 10 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): non-detect
- Bromine (Br): non-detect
- Chromium (Cr): 235 +/- 112 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 1,080 +/- 63 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 190 +/- 17 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 13,400 +/- 200 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 11,100 +/- 200 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 1,787 +/- 40 ppm
- No other metals detected in consumer goods mode.
Reading #3) unglazed edge on bottom
30-second reading
- Lead (Pb): 7,248 +/- 129 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 175 +/- 8 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): non-detect
- Bromine (Br): non-detect
- Chromium (Cr): 419 +/- 176 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 22,200 +/- 400 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 140 +/- 24 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 4,625 +/- 107 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 4,322 +/- 84 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 1,422 +/- 45 ppm
- No other metals detected in consumer goods mode.
Reading #4) logo area on bottom
60-second reading
- Lead (Pb): 19,000 +/- 200 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): 457 +/- 11 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): non-detect
- Bromine (Br): non-detect
- Chromium (Cr): 176 +/- 116 ppm
- Iron (Fe): 903 +/- 63 ppm
- Copper (Cu): 232 +/- 19 ppm
- Zinc (Zn): 13,200 +/- 200 ppm
- Zirconium (Zr): 11,900 +/- 200 ppm
- Barium (Ba): 1,820 +/- 42 ppm
- No other metals detected in consumer goods mode.
More details & related links to be posted shortly.
Could you elaborate on your broad statement “Please do not use ceramics from Portugal for food use in the absence of independent testing.” Soooooo much earthenware is sourced from Portugal. I’m very concerned about products that I have purchased, even fairly recently. Thank you for your work. This is truly eye-opening information and a daunting undertaking.
Check out the “Made in Portugal” category of posts on the blog:
https://tamararubin.com/category/made-in-portugal/
Even many new “Made in Portugal” posts are positive for high levels of Lead.
The handmade (or handmade style) pieces are especially concerning.
Tamara