2018x

Vintage Blue Pyrex Glass Mugs: 71,800 ppm Lead + 697 ppm Arsenic [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

October 28, 2018May 25, 2019

Vintage Pyrex Mugs: The blue paint on these mugs tested positive for the following elements at the following levels (with a one-minute test, using an XRF instrument): Lead (Pb): 71,800 +/- 2,200 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 697 +/- 43 ppm Arsenic (As): ND Mercury (Hg): ND Platinum (Pt): 1,333 +/- 207 ppm Gold (Au): 709 +/-…

Johnson Brothers Wedgwood Group Blue Willow Earthenware Octagonal Plate: 52,400 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe!]

July 21, 2018August 12, 2019

2 Comments

This is a (c. 1980) Johnson Bros. (“A Member Of The Wedgwood Group” – see image below of back mark) Willow Earthenware octagonal plate, made in England. As with this piece with the same back mark [link]. I have not been able to determine the exact age of the piece, based on the back mark alone. If…

Vintage La Cartuja De Sevilla Pickman China Soup Cup: 44,800 ppm Lead

July 21, 2018November 4, 2018

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage La Cartuja De Sevilla Pickman China soup cup (Made in Spain) was positive for the following elements: Lead (Pb): 44,800 ppm +/- 1,400 Barium (Ba): 462 ppm +/- 78 Non-detect (Negative) for: Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As) To learn more about XRF testing, Click Here….

2003 Purple Chantal Mug / Teacup, Made In China: 679 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe in kids’ items].

July 21, 2018November 2, 2019

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument this 2003 Chantal mug (that was mine, personally & I bought new at a local kitchen store here in Portland) had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 679 ppm Arsenic (As): Non-Detect Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect For context: The amount of lead considered toxic in an item intended for children (in…

2014 Zak Designs Frozen Anna & Elsa Mug: 8,834 ppm Lead (90 ppm Lead is considered unsafe for children)

July 8, 2018February 18, 2024

1 Comment

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 sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC…

Red Vintage Pyrex Food Storage Container With lid: 310,000 ppm Lead + 14,200 ppm Arsenic + 33,200 ppm Cadmium

June 26, 2018January 5, 2024

16 Comments

This is an ad-free article. We have removed advertisements from this article to make it easier for you to read. If you would like to support our independent consumer goods testing by contributing (which will also help us keep our more widely-read articles ad-free!), click here. Thank you! For those new to the Lead Safe…

Functional Ceramic Christmas Snowman Teapot: 30,200 ppm Lead

June 24, 2018December 12, 2023

To see more Christmas items I have tested, click HERE. This little Christmas snowman teapot tested positive for Lead (Pb) at 30,200 +/- 900 ppm. The year of manufacture is unknown. This item was tested in 2018 with an XRF instrument. Full XRF Reading (Toxicants): Lead (Pb): 30,200 +/- 900 ppm Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect (ND/negative) Arsenic (As): Non-Detect…

Vintage English Johnson Brothers Mill Stream Ceramic Ironstone Plate: 54,700 ppm Lead, 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

June 23, 2018September 1, 2019

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This vintage Johnson Brothers Mill Stream ceramic “Ironstone” dish tested positive for the following levels when tested with an XRF instrument: Lead (Pb): 54,700 +/- 1,700 ppm Barium (Ba): 489 +/- 104 ppm Tin (Sn): 1,261 +/- 78 ppm Zinc (Zn): 3,461 +/- 178 ppm Iron (Fe): 540 +/- 181 ppm For more information about…

Franciscan Desert Rose Earthenware China — c. 1941, Made in USA: 122,200 ppm Lead! (90 ppm is unsafe in kids’ items)

June 14, 2018September 24, 2023

39 Comments

For those new to this 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 sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

Franciscan Ware Potteries (c. 1948) Franciscan Ivy Pattern Serving Tray: 304,000 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe]

June 14, 2018September 1, 2019

4 Comments

This is a Franciscan Potteries vintage “Ivy” pattern serving tray that I got at the Good Will Bins a while back (to add to my “Museum of Lead” collection!) The interesting thing about glazes (especially on pieces that are handmade or hand-painted) is that the levels of lead can vary significantly across the surface of…

Vintage Spode Christmas Tree Plate, Made In England: 71,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

June 14, 2018November 23, 2023

11 Comments

For those new to this 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 sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method…

Vintage Spring Blossom Green “Crazy Daisy” Pyrex cup: 39,300 ppm Lead + 833 ppm Cadmium (90 ppm Pb is unsafe for kids!)

May 5, 2018January 5, 2024

7 Comments

Vintage Pyrex Spring Blossom Green “Crazy Daisy” patterned cups For those new to this 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 sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara…

Vintage (c. 1972) “Butterfly Gold” Pyrex Casserole Dish: 87,000 ppm Lead. [Context: 90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

April 19, 2018June 3, 2019

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Vintage Pyrex “Butterfly Gold” casserole dish, c. 1972. The mustard and white paint on this vintage Pyrex casserole dish tested positive for the following elements at the following levels (with a one-minute test, using an XRF instrument): Lead (Pb): 87,000 +/- 2,900 ppm Cadmium (Cd): ND / Non-Detect (Negative) Arsenic (As): ND / Non-Detect…

“Old Town Blue” Pattern Vintage Pyrex Tea Cup, c.1972 – 1982: 17,700 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

April 19, 2018September 2, 2019

9 Comments

Vintage Pyrex mugs/ tea cups in the “Old Town Blue” pattern: The dark blue paint on these mugs tested positive for the following elements at the following levels (with a one-minute test, using an XRF instrument): Lead (Pb): 17,700 +/- 500 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 154 +/- 12 ppm Arsenic (As): ND Mercury (Hg): ND…

Ask Tamara: Do Starbucks mugs have high levels of Lead?

April 12, 2018December 19, 2023

16 Comments

For those new to this 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 sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used…

2017 Stumptown Coffee Roasters Enameled Mug: 5,192 ppm Lead. [90+ is unsafe in items used by kids.]

April 3, 2018November 18, 2019

Newer (2017) Stumptown Coffee Roasters Enameled Metal Mug. Tested with an XRF instrument. Positive for Lead at 5,192 ppm. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern/newly manufactured item intended for children is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating. Mugs are not considered items intended for use…

Spode Vintage “Fairy Dell” English China: 36,400 ppm Lead + Arsenic! 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe in kids’ items.

March 21, 2018November 21, 2023

Copeland Spode Vintage “Fairy Dell” China, Made in England. This dish the following test results when tested with an XRF instrument: Lead (Pb): 36,400 +/- 1,400 ppm Arsenic (As): 2,332 +/- 288 ppm Cadmium (Cd): “ND” (non-detect)/ Negative Mercury (Hg): “ND” (non-detect)/ Negative To learn more about XRF testing, Click Here. For context: The amount of…

Vintage Pyrex Teacup With Pink Stripe: 249,700 ppm Lead + 12,800 ppm Cadmium + 14,300 ppm Arsenic

March 21, 2018March 16, 2019

Vintage white milk glass “Double Tough” Pyrex teacup, with pink painted stripe. Made in U.S.A. Tested positive for Lead with an XRF Instrument. Pink Stripe: Lead (Pb): 249,700 +/- 19,000 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 12,800 +/- 1,000 ppm Arsenic (As): 14,300 +/- 1,600 ppm Mercury (Hg): ND (non-detect) To learn more about XRF testing, Click Here….

Vintage Milk Glass Corning Teacup: 804 ppm Lead

January 21, 2018November 11, 2018

This vintage milk-glass “Made in USA” Corning brand tea cup tested positive for lead when tested with an XRF instrument at 804 ppm lead in the white (undecorated) milk glass component of the cup. Tested in 2014. In 2018 the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern/newly manufactured item intended for children…

Child’s toy China Tea Set, Victoria’s Garden: 20,600 ppm Lead

December 24, 2017May 17, 2024

Victoria’s Garden toy China Tea Set: 20,600 ppm Lead (Lemon included to show size!) 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…

Vintage Miniature Tea Set (Made in Taiwan): 14,200 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) & Cadmiu (which causes cancer!)

December 10, 2017May 17, 2024

Miniature Vintage Ceramic Tea Set. Made in Taiwan. Platter: 66 +/- 20 ppm Lead (Pb). Coffee Pot: 777 +/- 53 ppm Lead (Pb) & 18 +/- 8 ppm Cadmium (Cd). Tiny Creamer: 14,200 +/- 500 ppm Lead (Pb) & 42 +/- 11 ppm Cadmium (Cd). Tiny Teacup: 3,280 +/- 124 ppm Lead (Pb). Tested…

New (2017) Brass Chanukah Menorah – Made in India: 36,000 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

December 8, 2017September 1, 2019

2 Comments

This post is a Chanukah menorah buying guide (of sorts!), check out the lead-free options and please read about the concerns for leaded brass in general. This is a new brass menorah purchased in 2017 at New Season Market in Portland, Oregon. Made in India by Biedermann & Sons. To see more menorahs I have…

BluesBand Hohner International New Harmonica: Positive for 455 ppm Mercury & 146 ppm Arsenic!

December 7, 2017April 6, 2019

3 Comments

#LeadFree New 2017 BluesBand, Hohner International Harmonica. Tested with an XRF instrument. Most of the components of this instrument are free of heavy metals, however, the small bronze/ yellow colored square elements with scalloped edges (see close up photo above) had the following readings when tested with an XRF instrument: Lead (Pb): Negative/ Non-Detect Mercury…

y. 2000 Starbucks Coffee “City Mug” Collector Series: 3,157 ppm Lead (>90 is unsafe for kids) + 496 ppm Arsenic too!

December 5, 2017November 16, 2019

Starbucks City Mug from the year 2,000. Made in Thailand. “City Mug” 3,157 ppm lead & 496 ppm Arsenic. To see a detailed summary of my concerns with Starbucks mugs, Click HERE. For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via…