1940s

Made in Occupied Japan floral saucer: positive for Lead (6,825 ppm), Cadmium, Arsenic (878 ppm) and Antimony.

December 10, 2019March 20, 2020

The back mark with the words “Made in Occupied Japan” puts the date of manufacture of this dish in the range of 1945 to 1952. When tested with an XRF instrument the small floral design saucer pictured here had the following readings: Food surface of the dish – on the flowers: Lead (Pb): 6,208 +/- 160…

My Nana’s Czechoslovakian Ceramic Cow Cream Pitcher c. 1940: 39,200 ppm Lead & 1,187 Arsenic – used daily.

November 18, 2019November 19, 2019

The main thing I wanted to share about this little cow pitcher is that it belonged to my grandmother and when I was a little girl I used it every single day when I was at her house visiting. She filled it with milk for us to pour on our cereal and during every meal…

Hardcover 1946 children’s book – “Fun with Dick and Jane”: 1,045 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

November 10, 2019January 24, 2020

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When tested with an XRF instrument, this 1946 hardcover edition of of “Fun with Dick and Jane” had the following readings: On the painted part of the cover (yellow area): Lead (Pb): 839 +/- 24 ppm Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect (negative) Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect (negative) Arsenic (As): 76 +/- 17 ppm Antimony (Sb): Non-Detect (negative) Barium…

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

August 5, 2018August 20, 2019

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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…

#Leaded: 1946 Hardy Boys Book

March 6, 2018March 7, 2018

1946 Hardy Boys Book. The Secret Panel. Hardcover. Cover Image (brown paint): 1334 +/- 48 ppm lead & 144 +/- 34 ppm arsenic. Interior pages: 32 +/- 10 ppm lead. Tested with an XRF instrument. Personally I avoid letting my children use vintage books, because they almost always test positive for lead (plus we live…

#Cadmium: Vintage 1940s Nancy Ann Storybook Doll, Princess/ Bride

December 16, 2017July 13, 2023

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Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is a federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children, her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005. Since 2009 Tamara has been using XRF testing (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)…

Vintage Queen Of Hearts Nancy Ann Storybook Doll, c. 1940: 6,255 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

December 16, 2017July 13, 2023

Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is a federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children, her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005. Since 2009 Tamara has been using XRF testing (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)…

#Leaded: Vintage 1940s Nancy Ann Storybook Bride Doll

December 16, 2017April 28, 2020

This vintage (1940s) Nancy Ann Storybook doll bride has a painted face that is 172,600 +/- 10,000 ppm lead. The amount of lead that is considered toxic/unsafe in an item made for children today is 90 ppm lead and higher. In general you should keep vintage dolls (both plastic and ceramic) away from young children…