Christmas Ornament Archives

XRF Test Results for 2024 UK-Purchased (new) WHSmith Gift Topper Jingle Bells

March 17, 2024March 30, 2024

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,…

2022 Michael’s Paw Print Christmas Ornament Frame: Positive for Mercury and a significant amount of Arsenic in the red sparkles!

April 19, 2023November 26, 2023

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…

Incredibly toxic and dangerous souvenir purchased at the Tower of London gift shop (November 2022)

December 18, 2022April 1, 2024

12 Comments

Published: December 18, 2022 — Sunday Well … I guess I can really pick ’em! I have a special talent (actually, body of knowledge and experience) that enables me to easily pick out the most toxic souvenir in the shop! I purchased this at the Tower of London Gift Shop last month — because…

Vintage Shiny Brite Christmas Ornament — Red Decorated Glass Ball: 131 ppm Arsenic + 109 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

December 24, 2021November 21, 2023

Here’s the general introduction I provide on a lot of my articles, for those who may be new to my work (or have possibly “stumbled upon” this work while just casually browsing, or conducting more serious research): Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary…

Vintage Shiny Brite Christmas Ornament — Peach Glass Ball: 39 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

December 24, 2021November 21, 2023

Here’s the general introduction I provide on a lot of my articles, for those who may be new to my work (or have possibly “stumbled upon” this work while casually browsing, or conducting more serious research): Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker….

Vintage Shiny Brite (?) Christmas Ornament — Pink Glass Ball: 10 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

December 24, 2021November 21, 2023

2 Comments

Here’s the general introduction I provide on a lot of my articles, for those who may be new to my work (or have possibly “stumbled upon” this work while casually browsing, or conducting more serious research): Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker….

Red Plastic (2020) Aldi Christmas Ornament Ball: Positive for Lead + Cadmium + Arsenic (51,700 ppm!!!) + Antimony!

December 7, 2021December 19, 2023

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 — a…

Vintage Shiny Brite (Made in USA or possibly West Germany!) Christmas ornament — blue with white stars: 175,500 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

December 4, 2021November 27, 2023

2 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 Satin-Sheen Pyramid Brand Decorative Glass Christmas Ornaments (bell shaped with iridescent glass): 16 ppm Lead + 25 ppm Cadmium. Safe levels by all standards.

December 3, 2021December 4, 2021

Here’s the general introduction I provide on a lot of my posts, for those who may be new to my work (or have possibly “stumbled upon” my work – while just casually browsing, or conducting more serious research): Tamara Rubin is a Federal-award-winning independent advocate for consumer goods safety and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention. She is also a mother…

Max Eckardt & Sons Shiny Brite Vintage Glass Christmas Ornaments: 23,400 ppm Lead in the yellow bands. 90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids.

November 29, 2021November 25, 2023

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…

Fantasia Brand Christmas Tree Ornaments (Made in Poland): 23 ppm Lead + 9 ppm Arsenic (plus the finish is peeling!)

November 21, 2021November 26, 2023

2 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…

QVC Temp-tations Espresso Cup Christmas Ornaments (Xmas 2020): 2,924 ppm Lead + 981 ppm Cadmium — QVC tells customers to use them for cocoa with the grandkids!

November 18, 2021November 5, 2024

6 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…

Greenbrier International Christmas House (Dollar Tree) 2021 Plastic Tube Ornament (Santa belt design): Positive for Lead, Arsenic, & Antimony

November 17, 2021November 26, 2023

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…

Traditional green ball-style plastic Christmas ornament from Aldi (2020): 44,400 ppm ARSENIC! (NOT safe for children!)

November 17, 2021November 26, 2023

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…

Midwest Gift Ganz (Made in China) Glass Christmas Ornament — 2021: Very low levels of Antimony, Cadmium & Mercury

November 17, 2021November 26, 2023

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…

FAO Schwarz Merry Christmas musical train/ snow globe: 53 ppm Lead in the glass (safe by all standards)

January 20, 2021November 25, 2023

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…

Hello! I’m here to ruin Christmas for you! Do you know how toxic your Christmas decorations are? (This is actually a guide for having a safer Christmas holiday!)

November 16, 2020November 5, 2024

15 Comments

This is an ad-free article. To make a contribution to help us keep our most widely-read articles ad-free, click here. Thank you. 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…

2019 Dollar Tree Store Christmas ornaments (in a tube!): 133,300 ppm Antimony (a known/ designated carcinogen as of 2021)

July 12, 2020November 26, 2023

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…

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

June 28, 2020December 7, 2023

2 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…

Dollar store large red metal Christmas jingle bell: Non-detect for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Arsenic, & Antimony! Yay!

December 25, 2019November 27, 2023

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…

How much poison is on your Christmas tree? Mercury glass tree topper: 207 ppm Lead + 462 ppm Arsenic. Don’t break it!

December 22, 2019November 27, 2023

1 Comment

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…

Greenbrier International “Christmas Pickle” (Dollar Tree store; Made in China ): 45 ppm Lead (safe by all standards)

December 22, 2019November 27, 2023

2 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…

2019 miniature ceramic Starbucks cup Christmas ornament (with red glitter): 112 +/- 27 ppm Lead

November 17, 2019November 29, 2023

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…

2019 miniature ceramic Starbucks cup Christmas ornament (with black iridescent glaze): 110 +/- 18 ppm Lead

November 17, 2019November 27, 2023

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…