1930s

1937 Life Magazine compilation book: 461 ppm Lead on the pages (& 13 ppm Cadmium). 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

1937 Life Magazine compilation book: 461 ppm Lead on the pages (& 13 ppm Cadmium). 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

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Reading  #1) on the leather of the book 60-second reading Lead (Pb): 375 +/- 10 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 18 +/- 2 ppm Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): 3 +/- 1 ppm Chromium (Cr): non-detect Arsenic (As): non-detect Vanadium (V): 18,300 +/- 400  ppm Manganese (Mn): 918 +/- 79 ppm Iron (Fe): 174 +/- 37 ppm…

1939 Physician’s Sample Tin of Baby Formula: 456,200 ppm Lead. Frankly the implications of this one are terrifying.

1939 Physician’s Sample Tin of Baby Formula: 456,200 ppm Lead. Frankly the implications of this one are terrifying.

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  When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage tin of “Mead Johnson & Co” baby formula supplement (a “Physician’s Sample”  – “Not to be sold”) had the following readings (on the the sealing line of the tin when tested for a minimum of 60 seconds). Lead (Pb): 456,200 +/- 3,400 ppm Chromium (Cr): 660…

Vintage (c. 1938-1960) Ceramic Harlequin by Homer Laughlin Co. Fiesta Plate: 287,600 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe].

Vintage (c. 1938-1960) Ceramic Harlequin by Homer Laughlin Co. Fiesta Plate: 287,600 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe].

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This little yellow plate was purchased at an antique store in Oregon in 2018. While there is not a maker’s mark on the back of the dish, the store owner had researched the plate and came up with this description: Vintage Yellow Ceramic Harlequin by Homer Laughlin Co. Fiesta Plate, c. 1938-1960 When tested with an…