#AskTamara

Are 3M LeadCheck Swabs “Safe”? I saw on the package that they contain LEAD!

Are 3M LeadCheck Swabs “Safe”? I saw on the package that they contain LEAD!

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Originally published December, 2013 Updated April 2017 I get this question every now and then – so I thought I would post the question and my answer here.  I also asked the folks at 3M for their take: Question: Hi Tamara, I read the back of our lead testing kit, and was so disappointed to…

Q: I’m concerned that the original bathtub that came with my older home might have Lead. What should I do?

Q: I’m concerned that the original bathtub that came with my older home might have Lead. What should I do?

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Originally Posted June 17, 2014 Updated April 2017 Question from Lucy (Via MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic Facebook Page). QUESTION: Hi Tamara, We just bought a new house and it has the original bathtub (1956). What would be the best and most effective way to test for lead? I’d also like to test dishes, toys, water….

Which foods have lower Lead levels? Tamara’s food list (including foods we try to avoid at all costs)!

Which foods have lower Lead levels? Tamara’s food list (including foods we try to avoid at all costs)!

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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…

Ask Tamara: What Dish Rack Do You Use?

Ask Tamara: What Dish Rack Do You Use?

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Ask Tamara Question: What dish rack do you use? Answer: Natural materials!  Whenever possible I try to stick with natural materials in my home.  That means unpainted, uncoated – and usually undecorated.  For a dish rack, I think wood is good option! I have also had stainless steel ones in the past.  If they are…

Here are some Lead-free toothpaste options I use in my home with my family. Yes — some toothpastes (like Earthpaste) test positive for Lead!

Here are some Lead-free toothpaste options I use in my home with my family. Yes — some toothpastes (like Earthpaste) test positive for Lead!

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   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,…

#SaferChoices: Which Water Bottles & Sippy Cups are Lead-Free?

#SaferChoices: Which Water Bottles & Sippy Cups are Lead-Free?

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     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…

Ask Tamara: Q. Can I test my dishes for lead with a home test kit for Lead? A. Sometimes, but not normally. (Click to read more.)

Ask Tamara: Q. Can I test my dishes for lead with a home test kit for Lead? A. Sometimes, but not normally. (Click to read more.)

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  Our current preferred brand for home test kits (to test for Lead in paint) can be found on this link. Additionally, here is a link to a new Lead-testing product that does work on some consumer goods (but not all). Amazon links are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of…

My friend invited me to a testing party—what the heck is a “testing party?”

My friend invited me to a testing party—what the heck is a “testing party?”

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  Question: Tamara, my friend invited me to a testing party. What the heck is a testing party and why was I invited? Answer:  Your friend probably likes you a lot!  She is likely an environmentally conscious person with a concern for your health and well-being and a concern for the health and well-being of…

#AskTamara: Q. Does my child’s trumpet mouthpiece have unsafe levels of lead? A. “Yes, most do.” Click the image to learn more.

#AskTamara: Q. Does my child’s trumpet mouthpiece have unsafe levels of lead? A. “Yes, most do.” Click the image to learn more.

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#AskTamara – Question: Does my child’s trumpet mouthpiece contain unsafe levels of lead? – Answer: In most cases, yes. – Please continue reading below for more information.   Leaded Trumpet Mouthpieces.   Only one of the mouthpieces pictured here has no lead. – Trumpet mouthpieces (and mouthpieces on any brass instruments for that matter) are not regulated…

#SaferChoices: How to choose a Lead-free tea kettle

#SaferChoices: How to choose a Lead-free tea kettle

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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…

#AskTamara: What is the impact of lead poisoning in adults, including college age students?

#AskTamara: What is the impact of lead poisoning in adults, including college age students?

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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…

Ask Tamara: What are the symptoms of childhood Lead poisoning?

Ask Tamara: What are the symptoms of childhood Lead poisoning?

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Originally written: April 2014 Updated: December 16, 2019 I get this question all the time… so here’s a re-share of an older post I wrote with the answers.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for reading! QUESTION: What are the symptoms of childhood Lead poisoning? ANSWER: The most important…

#AskTamara: Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead? Does New Fiestaware Have Lead?

#AskTamara: Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead? Does New Fiestaware Have Lead?

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#AskTamara Questions:  Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead? Does New Fiestaware Have Lead? Answers: Definitely yes & sometimes yes! Below is a vintage teal colored Fiestaware custard cup. When tested with an XRF instrument it was positive for lead (Pb) at 73,500 ppm (seventy three thousand five hundred parts per million.) The only relevant modern standard that…

#AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead? Can I do this myself at home? How much does it cost?

#AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead? Can I do this myself at home? How much does it cost?

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Originally written on December 19, 2016 Updated, December 11, 2019 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,…

#AskTamara: The inspector is coming tomorrow, what do I need to know?

#AskTamara: The inspector is coming tomorrow, what do I need to know?

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       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…

#AskTamara: What kind of water filtration system do you have in your home?

#AskTamara: What kind of water filtration system do you have in your home?

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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)…

Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”

Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”

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  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,…

Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?

Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?

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Christine posted on Facebook (6/23/2014): “What do you do once you find lead paint?? I tested last night and found some deteriorating on the front door jamb and I’m so worried about my 2 year old and 3 month old! I can’t afford to hire a contractor. Would painting over it be enough??” ANSWER Here…

#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?

#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?

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#AskTamara Originally published: June 18, 2014 QUESTION from Cristen (via Facebook) My ND suggested that if I was nervous about having my 3yo and 5yo lead tested (due to the finger stick…I’m pretty sure my 5yo would cry, and my 3yo would FREAK the hell out, major trauma…) that she would do the test on…

#AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?

#AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?

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Originally Published June 18, 2014 Question from June 8, 2014 from Sarah (Via Facebook.) QUESTION: Dear Tamara, Hello! So update: we bought some lead testing kits and tested all of my daughters toys. Nothing came up BUT we randomly tested our water pipes and bingo! It looks like the solder is lead. Test came up positive…

#AskTamara: Do you have any recommendations for a non-toxic slow cooker?

#AskTamara: Do you have any recommendations for a non-toxic slow cooker?

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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…

#AskTamara: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about Cadmium?

#AskTamara: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about Cadmium?

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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…