Arsenic (As): 51 +/- 23 ppm Selenium (Se): 413 +/- 74 ppm Tin (Sn): 61 +/- 31 ppm Zinc (Zn): 6,697 +/- 329 ppm Copper (Cu): 72,000 +/- 2,700 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 39 +/- 25 ppm
Brass hotel desk bell – 60 second reading: Lead (Pb): 40,900 +/- 1,200 ppm Antimony (Sb): 717 +/- 144 ppm Tin (Sn): 28,000 +/- 600 ppm Zinc (Zn): 357,300 +/- 2,700 ppm Copper (Cu): 536,900 +/- 3,200 ppm Nickel (Ni): 4,046 +/- 362 ppm Iron (Fe): 10,300 +/- 600 ppm Chromium (Cr): 208 +/- 126…
Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. Tamara uses XRF testing (a scientific…
![2019 satin Nickel finish rectangular flush drawer pull by Classic Brass: 1,768 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids’ items.]](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Rectangular-Flush-Satin-Nickel-Finish-Drawer-Pull-2019-Lead-Safe-Mama-01-768x576.jpg)
When tested with an XRF instrument this 2019 satin Nickel finish drawer pull by Classic Brass (pictured here) had the following readings: Front surface of drawer pull: Lead (Pb): 1,768 +/- 257 ppm Chromium (Cr): 377 +/- 170 ppm Tin (Sn): 1,293 +/- 148 ppm Zinc (Zn): 7,011 +/- 860 ppm Copper (Cu): 214,300 +/-…
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…
These drawer pulls are from the dining set my grandparents got for their home when they were married in 1940 in San Francisco. When tested with an XRF instrument they had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 8,681 +/- 643 ppm Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect / Negative Arsenic (As): Non-Detect / Negative Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect / Negative…
![My Grandmother’s WWII Era Brass Chanukah Menorah: 30,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for items children play with.]](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/My-Grandparents-Leaded-Brass-Chanukah-Menorah-Tamara-Rubin-Lead-Safe-Mama-5-768x576.jpg)
This is a vintage brass Chanukah menorah that belonged to my grandparents. They were married in 1940 and I believe this menorah is from around that time as I had two that were exactly the same and I am pretty sure that my great grandmother gave one to each of her children when they were…
#AskTamara Question: Could a vintage leaded brass mouthpiece cause (or contribute to) kidney failure in a professional trumpet player? Answer: Maybe. The vintage (c. 1980s or earlier) trumpet mouthpiece shown here tested positive for a relatively high level of lead for leaded brass (22,200 ppm lead.) It is a bare leaded brass mouthpiece that is…
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,…
“Made in India” wooden box. Brass Components: 13,000 ppm lead, tested with an XRF instrument.
Originally Published: April 28, 2018 In September of 2015 my husband got a BRAND NEW made in Germany “P & K Lie” truing stand to make bicycle wheels (a very important tool for his business, his bicycle and bicycle trailer building and design work.) And then we tested it for Lead: It turned the…
Moscow Mule Mug: As high as 43,400 +/- 1,600 ppm lead in the brass handle. Solid lead attachment solder points for the handle too! Tested positive for lead with an XRF instrument and a LeadCheck swab! Here’s an affiliate link to purchase LeadCheck swabs to test your own Moscow mule mug at home: https://amzn.to/2L1QBs5 – but…
![Toy Brass Cymbal with Wooden Handle: 274 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids]](https://tamararubin.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Brass-Cymbal-Tamara-Rubin-Toy-Leaded-Brass-Lead-Safe-Mama.jpg)
Child’s mini brass cymbal – with wooden handle: 274 ppm Lead. Modern toys are regulated and required to be under 90 ppm lead in the paint or coating when tested with an XRF instrument (90 ppm in the coating or 100 ppm in the substrate). Year of manufacture and maker of this toy are unknown. Tested…
When tested with an XRF instrument this small brass hammer / nested screw-driver multi-tool had the following reading: Lead (Pb): 40,600 ppm lead. The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe in an item intended for use by children is 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating and 100 ppm Lead or…
Words companies are currently using to describe their contemporary cookware that incorporates last-century high-lead-content brass decorative elements (these are screenshots from their websites:) Originally Published April 27, 2018 Updated: December 31, 2020 Decorative Leaded brass accents on new kitchenware. This one is a hard subject for me; I almost don’t know where to start…
When this small (brand new, 2018) hand-held brass bell was tested with an XRF instrument it had the following reading: Lead (Pb): 35,200 ppm +/- 1,000 ppm The concern I have for these small brass items is that they are often given to children to play with and, especially in the case of high-lead brass,…
Baldwin brand doorknob: 11,500 ppm lead. Tested in 2014. Building components (like door knobs) are not regulated AT ALL for total lead content (as detectable with an XRF instrument.) #SimpleSolution: look for stainless or nickel door knobs (and hardware or hinges.) To see more door knobs that I have tested, click here (post category “door…
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…
Library / desk lamp with green glass: 32,400 ppm lead (in the glass.) Tested with an XRF. Thoughts: Is this going to harm the owner? Probably not. Can we manufacture lead-free glass for items like this? Absolutely, yes. Is manufacturing items with high lead content harming the environment and potentially harming factory workers? Absolutely, yes. Can we strive to have lead-free homes and a lead-free…