I created a graphic for people to use to share about the concerns for Lead in vintage Corelle pieces. Please feel free to share this on social media.
For those new to the Lead Safe Mama 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 four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005).
- Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC — a unique community collaborative woman-owned small business for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety.
- Since 2009, Tamara has been conducting XRF testing (a scientific testing method) using the exact instrumentation employed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic).
- Since July of 2022, the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC has been responsible for 5 product recalls (FDA and CPSC).
- All test results reported on this website are science-based, accurate, and replicable.
- Items that Lead Safe Mama, LLC reports on are tested multiple times to confirm the results published (for each component tested).
- Recent notable press… There has been too much to mention already in 2024! Please check out our press page to see some of the amazing coverage of our work so far this year!
Published: May 19, 2022
Updated: April 4, 2024
Please feel free to use a full copy of the image (above or below) on your social media channels. If you do use it, please tag and or link the Lead Safe Mama page on the channel that you are sharing it on. Thank you! To copy the image you should be able to click on it and then download it to photos on your phone OR on a laptop you can click the image and then drag it to your desktop. If you are sharing it on a channel that allows for links, please use this link (& language) below (or similar) along with the image:
For more information about the Lead found in these and other vintage dishes, click here: https://tamararubin.com/2019/12/breaking-news-12-26-19-corelle-recommends-using-their-pre-2005-dishes-only-as-decorative-pieces-due-to-concerns-for-high-levels-of-lead/
Important to note: Lead levels reported on this image may differ from the previously reported Lead levels in similar dishes with the same designs because the level of toxicants in the decorative elements in these dishes vary from batch to batch.
Thank you!
For those looking for some safer (confirmed lead-free) dish options – here are a few (relatively inexpensive) choices to consider as well:
- Prices below are from March 11, 2024
- 18-piece service for 6: $39.99 – https://amzn.to/43ieIYn
- 78-piece service for 12: $189.99 – https://amzn.to/43aGEgV
- Set of 6 dinner plates: $38.92 – https://amzn.to/43aGUwp
- Set of 12 dinner plates: $65.00 – https://amzn.to/3v6SBrd
- You can also buy clear glass (unpainted, undecorated) dinner plates from the Dollar Store – and they are typically also Lead-free.
- The white glass plates from Target are also Lead-free (test results here)
- The white glass plates from Ikea are also Lead-free (test results here)
Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking one of Lead Safe Mama, LLC’s affiliate links, we may receive a percentage of what you spend (at no extra cost to you).
This is an ad-free post.
Advertising and affiliate income help Lead Safe Mama, LLC cover the costs of the work we do here (independent consumer goods testing and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention advocacy). We have removed ads from most of our more widely-read articles (like this one!) to make them easier for you to read. In addition to supporting this work by starting any shopping you might be doing with clicks on our affiliate links, if you would like to support the independent consumer goods testing and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention advocacy work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC by making a contribution (which will also help us keep our more widely-read articles ad-free), click here. Thank you!
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Hi Tamara. I have some vintage precious moments childrens silverware. A spoon, fork and knife. I was hoping I could send them to you to have them tested unless you’ve already done so.
Hi there! Thanks for commenting. Here’s the link with details on how to send something in for testing. I am about a month out for reporting on test results right now:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara
I have a set of vintage Corelle dishes not shown in the image. Does that mean the pattern was not tested or that it is OK?
I have a set of vintage Corelle dishes not shown in the image. It is the Indian fall pattern is the description and probably not the pattern name. Does that mean the pattern was not tested or that it is OK?
I was wondering the exact same thing! 1987 wedding gift! I still use them.
Is the white part of the plate okay? We have the “Old Town Blue.” Is the lead just in the decorative border?
Here is a post that explains the concern of Lead on the outside of dishes: https://tamararubin.com/2020/07/if-the-lead-is-only-on-the-outside-of-my-dish-measuring-cup-mixing-bowl-etc-why-does-it-matter-that-it-has-lead/
Hi Tamara. I have a vintage set of Pyrex dishes and glassware probably from the 1960s. They are unlike any pictured. The set of dishes are clear cobalt blue with an embossed swirl design on the outer edge. The corresponding set of glassware has ice tea glasses and 60s style juice glasses. They are clear with a blue swirl design painted on the outside. The lady I bought them from said they were 60s and a sought after collectors item. Is it possible the glass has unsafe lead or other unsafe chemicals? Thank you!
Ellena,
I am not sure what the pattern looks like but if you would like to browse, here is Tamara’s “Vintage Pyrex” category link: https://tamararubin.com/category/vintage-pyrex/
I will say that if they are from the 1960s, they most likely contain high levels of Lead… as well as Cadmium and Arsenic: https://tamararubin.com/2021/12/please-stop-using-vintage-pyrex-glassware-for-cooking-serving-food-its-often-painted-with-high-lead-paint-can-test-positive-for-cadmium-and-arsenic-too/
I have some salad plate size (between dinner and saucer) with one of the patterns (old town blue) . Only the saucer is listed … can I assume it includes all the plates with that pattern ?
Yes! All dishes in the Old Town Blue pattern contain high levels of Lead. Here are the test results: https://tamararubin.com/category/old-town-blue/
Hi Tamara, I raised my kids using the “Pink Trio” Corell design which my son and oldest daughter split between them and currently use the “Chutney” pattern myself. I do not see either in any of the lead levels tests. Have you tested these patterns and have not had time to post the results? I am very concerned about the levels in particular of the “Pink Trio”. Thank you, Julie Reynolds
Hi Julie,
I don’t believe I have tested either of those patterns, however if they are pre-2005 they are likely to be high in Lead in Cadmium (and possibly even Arsenic) as most of the other dishes of that age from this brand are. All of the of dishes that are posted here are examples sent in by Lead Safe Mama readers. Here’s how to participate in the work if you are interested in having your exact pattern tested:
https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-to-test-for-lead/
Tamara
Did you test the Pink Trio for lead?
Hi,
Thanks for letting us know about Corelle lead issue. My family used Corelle Butterfly Gold dishes when I was younger and at home. Then, as an adult, I inherited the Butterfly Gold dishes and continued using them in my home. Fortunately, there were no younger children that were exposed in my home. However, I’m concerned about how much jeopardy my health is now in after exposure to these dishes in my younger years and as an adult where I continued to use them in my home for several years. Possible 30+ years exposure. I’m 78.
I noticed the Butterfly Gold design has the highest lead rating, 14,000 ppm.
Besides stop using these dishes, what else would you advise I do? Inform my doctor? Be tested for lead? What side effects could be caused from exposure to these dishes with lead for over 30 years?
I certainly would appreciate your advice in this matter. Thanks for your help. Please email me your response.
Hi Brenda,
Start here! Tamara wrote many posts that will answer all of your questions including symptoms of Lead poisoning and information on getting tested: https://tamararubin.com/2022/05/start-here/
Hello! Thanks for all the information. Have you tested any older all white Corelle? I don’t know how old it is but probably at least 20 years old and was wondering if I should get rid of it along with my old patterned Corelle.
Thank you
I would like to know also! Mine are all white no pattern.
All white are lead-free (in the glass corelle, vintage and new).
How do I find the complete list of dishes?
this website is the list – there are over 3,500 posts and pages with info – just put the brand name or pattern in the search bar. Watch this video it may be helpful in showing you how to search the site: https://tamararubin.com/2022/05/how-to-use-the-lead-safe-mama-website-video/
I have a huge set of Corelle Sandstone. No design. But don’t know when I bought them. I had them for years until I was sick of them and gave them to my daughter when she moved out in 1998. She kept them until 2010 and gave them back and I’ve been using them ever since. Is there lead, cadmium or arsenic in them?