2020

Amanda’s artificial Christmas tree branch sample, purchased at a Target store in Virginia in 2010: 193 ppm Lead

Amanda’s artificial Christmas tree branch sample, purchased at a Target store in Virginia in 2010: 193 ppm Lead

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  Amanda (a reader) sent me this artificial Christmas tree branch to test. The full XRF test results for the artificial Christmas tree branch pictured are below. Amanda told me that she purchased this tree new at a Target store in Virginia, c. 2010 — although she no longer has the box and there is not a…

#FamilyReunion #DinnerWithTheRubins #CampCoViD192020 #Portlandia #MyFourSons

#FamilyReunion #DinnerWithTheRubins #CampCoViD192020 #Portlandia #MyFourSons

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#FamilyReunion #DinnerWithTheRubins #CampCoViD192020 #Portlandia #MyFourSons Scroll down for affiliate links to everything on our table! My eldest son came home last night! He’s here for a month and I’m so excited to have all of my kids together… and this time we’re all together for two months total (until the end of August!) with the…

Vintage Rival Crock-Pot Stoneware Slow Cooker: 180 ppm Lead in the food surface + 14,000 ppm Lead in the power cord.

Vintage Rival Crock-Pot Stoneware Slow Cooker: 180 ppm Lead in the food surface + 14,000 ppm Lead in the power cord.

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Published: Sunday – June 28, 2020 When tested with a high-precision XRF instrument in “Consumer Goods” mode, the vintage Rival Crock-Pot Stoneware Slow Cooker with brown glaze pictured above had the readings listed below. Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and she is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She…

John Boos Block maple wood cutting board: as expected, no metals detected at all! (+ available on Amazon, I bought this for myself!)

John Boos Block maple wood cutting board: as expected, no metals detected at all! (+ available on Amazon, I bought this for myself!)

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  Published; June 28, 2020 John Boos Maple Wood Cutting Board When tested with a high precision XRF instrument (in “Consumer Goods” mode) no metals were detected in the item pictured. Multiple 120-second tests were done to confirm these results. I purchased this to use as a background for some of my photos and also…

Polar Express official souvenir bell from Whippany, NJ: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Cadmium-free (Phew!)

Polar Express official souvenir bell from Whippany, NJ: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Cadmium-free (Phew!)

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  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…

1974 Avon perfume pin with puppy: 415 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe in items made for use by kids.

1974 Avon perfume pin with puppy: 415 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe in items made for use by kids.

Dark brown of ears: Lead (Pb): 415 +/- 21 ppm Chromium (Cr): 60 +/- 19 ppm Zinc (Zn): 719 +/- 27 ppm Iron (Fe): 533 +/- 47 ppm Titanium (Ti): 6,052 +/- 156 ppm Light brown of background of dog: Lead (Pb): 405 +/- 22 ppm Zinc (Zn): 645 +/- 27 ppm Titanium (Ti): 3,965…

Greenbrier International Dollar Tree Store “Super Soft Squishy Toy”: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Antimony-free.

Greenbrier International Dollar Tree Store “Super Soft Squishy Toy”: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Antimony-free.

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Photos below are from another toy, but would likely be the same for the above toy: XRF Testing for the Squishy Doll pictured here. #1.) Blue Dress / Shirt Titanium (Ti): 2,667 +/- 93 ppm Chlorine (Cl): 6,113 +/- 497 ppm #2.) Red Arm Titanium (Ti): 4,295 +/- 132 ppm Chlorine (Cl): 9,733 +/- 622…

Ikea mug with blue, orange and yellow design, made in Thailand. Item 15199: 82 ppm Lead + 41 ppm Antimony.

Ikea mug with blue, orange and yellow design, made in Thailand. Item 15199: 82 ppm Lead + 41 ppm Antimony.

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When tested with an XRF instrument this mug had the following readings: #1.) on the plain white glazed components of the mug Barium (Ba): 2,399 +/- 492 ppm Zinc (Zn): 21,100 +/- 900 ppm Iron (Fe): 321 +/- 112 ppm  Bismuth (Bi): 147 +/- 56 ppm Titanium (Ti): 134 +/- 76 ppm #2.) on the…

Ikea mug with blue & red floral design, made in Thailand. Item 15199: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Antimony-free.

Ikea mug with blue & red floral design, made in Thailand. Item 15199: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Antimony-free.

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When tested with an XRF instrument this mug had the following readings: #1.) on the plain white glazed components of the mug Barium (Ba): 2,594 +/- 381 ppm Zinc (Zn): 23,500 +/- 900 ppm Iron (Fe): 383 +/- 93 ppm  Bismuth (Bi): 125 +/- 44 ppm #2.) on the blue decorated components Barium (Ba): 3,818…

Cyclone Boys faux Rubik’s cube: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Antimony-free.

Cyclone Boys faux Rubik’s cube: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Antimony-free.

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Logo area on white plastic: Barium (Ba): 1,040 +/- 80 ppm Selenium (Se): 43 +/- 13 ppm Bromine (Br): 12 +/- 5 ppm Tin (Sn): 19 +/- 11 ppm Zinc (Zn): 8,122 +/- 126 ppm Iron (Fe): 8,663 +/- 153 ppm Vanadium (V): 355 +/- 165 ppm Titanium (Ti): 8,398 +/- 196 ppm Yellow plastic:…

TBiLiSi decorative souvenir ceramic bowl: 9,959 ppm Lead in the exterior glaze. 46 ppm on the food surface.

TBiLiSi decorative souvenir ceramic bowl: 9,959 ppm Lead in the exterior glaze. 46 ppm on the food surface.

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#1) Inside of ceramic bowl – food surface Lead (Pb): 46 +/- 23 ppm Barium (Ba): 2,343 +/- 340 ppm Chromium (Cr): 75 +/- 43 ppm Iron (Fe): 27,500 +/- 800 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 70 +/- 27 ppm Titanium (Ti): 2,697 +/- 195 ppm #2) Outside of ceramic bowl – yellow glaze area Lead (Pb):…

Bone and brass cuff bracelet: 1,898 ppm Lead (on decorative brass components that touch the wearer’s skin).

Bone and brass cuff bracelet: 1,898 ppm Lead (on decorative brass components that touch the wearer’s skin).

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Component #1.) Brass decorative elements: Lead (Pb): 1,898 +/- 294 ppm Tin (Sn):14,600 +/- 400 ppm Zinc (Zn): 339,900 +/- 2,600 ppm Copper (Cu): 633,800 +/- 3,200 ppm Nickel (Ni): 3,166 +/- 306 ppm  Iron (Fe): 5,192 +/- 406 ppm Titanium (Ti): 257 +/- 137 ppm Sliver (Ag): 94 +/- 48 ppm Component #2.) Brass hinge…

2007 tiny enamel frog earring: 13,100 ppm Lead + 5,661 Antimony + 1,707 Cadmium. (Typical levels for enamel.)

2007 tiny enamel frog earring: 13,100 ppm Lead + 5,661 Antimony + 1,707 Cadmium. (Typical levels for enamel.)

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Correction: this item is not vintage, it was purchased new at a gift shop in 2007. Green surface of frog: Lead (Pb): 13,100 +/- 800 ppm Antimony (Sb): 5,661 +/- 394 ppm Tin (Sn): 224,700 +/- 1,800 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 1,707 +/- 245 ppm Gold (Au): 13,300 +/- 1,300 ppm Zinc (Zn): 1,392 +/- 532…

Clip on earring. As anticipated 153,200 ppm Lead + 6,806 ppm Antimony (typical of vintage & new crystal jewelry.)

Clip on earring. As anticipated 153,200 ppm Lead + 6,806 ppm Antimony (typical of vintage & new crystal jewelry.)

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Decorative blue crystal surface: Lead (Pb): 153,200 +/- 12,000 ppm Barium (Ba): 29,300 +/- 3,600 ppm Antimony (Sb): 6,806 +/- 812 ppm Bromine (Br): 134 +/- 39 ppm Tin (Sn): 2,482 +/- 303 ppm Gold (Au): 1,742 +/- 452 ppm Zinc (Zn): 16,100 +/- 1,300 ppm Copper (Cu): 158,200 +/- 12,000 ppm Vanadium (V): 3,598…

Today (June 24th) was the best day here on the site since CoViD-19 hit (over 7,000 views!) — Thank you for being here!

Today (June 24th) was the best day here on the site since CoViD-19 hit (over 7,000 views!) — Thank you for being here!

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Sometime shortly before midnight Wednesday, June 24, 2020 Thanks so much for being here! I am writing now to mark this day as another little milestone on the path toward possibly seeing some recovery (here in one tiny corner of the world – just for Lead Safe Mama, LLC) from the impact of this unprecedented, unimaginable…

XRF test results for the Hello Sanrio Hello Kitty set of 2 stemless wine glasses pictured here.

XRF test results for the Hello Sanrio Hello Kitty set of 2 stemless wine glasses pictured here.

Test on clear glass of wine glass Barium (Ba): 7,391 +/- 744 ppm Antimony (Sb): 1,129 +/- 139 ppm Zinc (Zn): 133 +/- 139 ppm Test on white face of kitty Barium (Ba): 1,372 +/- 231 ppm Chromium (Cr): 143 +/- 65 Antimony (Sb): 422 +/- 53 ppm Selenium (Se): 132 +/- 35 ppm Zinc…

1980s white Corelle bowl: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Mercury-free.

1980s white Corelle bowl: Lead-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free, Mercury-free.

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  This is an ad-free post. We have removed ads from this post to make it easier for you to read. If you would like to support the independent consumer goods testing 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…

Vintage Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Museum Collections cereal bowl with “Young Lady”: 6,898 ppm Lead + 1,102 ppm Arsenic.

Vintage Kellogg’s Corn Flakes Museum Collections cereal bowl with “Young Lady”: 6,898 ppm Lead + 1,102 ppm Arsenic.

Interior food surface of bowl: Cadmium (Cd): 125 +/- 51 ppm Arsenic (As): 145 +/- 60 ppm Barium (Ba): 20,000 +/- 1,300 ppm Chromium (Cr): 129 +/- 70 ppm Selenium (Se): 170 +/- 80 ppm Bromine (Br): 104 +/- 44 ppm Zinc (Zn): 10,400 +/- 700 ppm Iron (Fe): 450 +/- 287 ppm Exterior decorations…

Vintage clear glass small Pyrex casserole: 866 +/- 61 ppm Arsenic (this is the first time I have found Arsenic in one of these)

Vintage clear glass small Pyrex casserole: 866 +/- 61 ppm Arsenic (this is the first time I have found Arsenic in one of these)

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Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2020 I hadn’t previously tested for / looked for Arsenic or Antimony in vintage clear glass Pyrex items. This is the first piece I have tested of vintage clear glass Pyrex where I noticed (and recorded) these two metals. I am going to do further inquiry in to this, specifically to…

Costume jewelry necklace charm with faux ruby & faux pearls: 7,743 ppm Cadmium + 36,100 Antimony + 51,700 Lead

Costume jewelry necklace charm with faux ruby & faux pearls: 7,743 ppm Cadmium + 36,100 Antimony + 51,700 Lead

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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…

Baldwin Hardware cabinet knob, “Made in Spain” (package has Prop 65 warning): 26,100 ppm Lead + 6,165 ppm Antimony.

Baldwin Hardware cabinet knob, “Made in Spain” (package has Prop 65 warning): 26,100 ppm Lead + 6,165 ppm Antimony.

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Baldwin cabinet knob Lead (Pb): 26,100 +/- 1,200 ppm Barium (Ba): 29,400 +/- 1,300 ppm Antimony (Sb): 6,165 +/- 286 ppm Bromine (Br): 155 +/- 40 ppm Zinc (Zn): 4,481 +/- 259 ppm Copper (Cu): 155 +/- 91 ppm