Christmas Tree

Is your artificial Christmas tree safe? XRF test results for 2020 Home Depot artificial Christmas tree sample (& guidelines for choosing a safer tree)

Is your artificial Christmas tree safe? XRF test results for 2020 Home Depot artificial Christmas tree sample (& guidelines for choosing a safer tree)

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     More Christmas Buttons (Article & Category Links)      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…

Full XRF test results for a 2021 Purchased (New) Spode Christmas Tree Dish (Made in China): Positive for trace Lead & Cadmium

Full XRF test results for a 2021 Purchased (New) Spode Christmas Tree Dish (Made in China): Positive for trace Lead & 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…

c. Late-1990s (or later) Spode Christmas Tree dish: 319 ppm Lead on the food surface ( + 138 ppm Cadmium & 2,402 ppm Cobalt)

c. Late-1990s (or later) Spode Christmas Tree dish: 319 ppm Lead on the food surface ( + 138 ppm Cadmium & 2,402 ppm Cobalt)

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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…

c. 1980s Nikko Happy Holidays China Dish With Christmas Tree (Japan): 87,000 ppm Lead on the food surface (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

c. 1980s Nikko Happy Holidays China Dish With Christmas Tree (Japan): 87,000 ppm Lead on the food surface (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

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    Published: Sunday — July 3, 2022 Given all federal agencies agree there is no safe level of Lead exposure for humans and that in 2008, the Consumer Product Safety Commission set 90 ppm Lead as the limit for allowable Lead in the paint, glaze, or coating of an item intended for use by…

Paparazzi Accessories child’s ring — striped Christmas tree with clear gems: 62,400 ppm Lead, 262,700 ppm Cadmium, & 5,397 ppm Antimony

Paparazzi Accessories child’s ring — striped Christmas tree with clear gems: 62,400 ppm Lead, 262,700 ppm Cadmium, & 5,397 ppm Antimony

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  Paparazzi Children’s Jewelry Examples Published: February 22, 2022 — Tuesday Important context for the findings noted on this post Please read this overview (linked here) for context about the levels of toxic heavy metals found in this Jewelry — and why this particular piece would likely be considered illegal if it was sold in the…

Paparazzi Accessories children’s earrings, enamel Christmas trees: 385,100 ppm Cadmium & 4,480 ppm Antimony (Illegal in California)

Paparazzi Accessories children’s earrings, enamel Christmas trees: 385,100 ppm Cadmium & 4,480 ppm Antimony (Illegal in California)

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  Paparazzi Children’s Jewelry Examples Published: February 16, 2022 — Wednesday Please read this post (link) for context about the levels of metals found in this jewelry. More information to be uploaded shortly. These earrings would be illegal in the State of California if sold there anytime beginning June 1, 2020 (or later). The reader…

2016 GE Brand 7.5 ft Douglas Fir Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree (Illinois): Positive for Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic (low levels), and 2,654 ppm Antimony!

2016 GE Brand 7.5 ft Douglas Fir Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Tree (Illinois): Positive for Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic (low levels), and 2,654 ppm Antimony!

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

Target 2020 Artificial Unlit 7.5 Ft. Tall Wonder Shop Virginia Pine Christmas Tree, Purchased in CA, Non-detect for: Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic & Antimony!

Target 2020 Artificial Unlit 7.5 Ft. Tall Wonder Shop Virginia Pine Christmas Tree, Purchased in CA, Non-detect for: Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic & Antimony!

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  Published: December 17, 2021 — Friday I am certain this is exciting news for many Lead Safe Mama readers! So many of the modern artificial Christmas trees these days test positive for at least one (if not more) toxic heavy metals of concern. While of course Chlorine is not ideal, either — the Chlorine test…

XRF test results for an artificial Christmas tree (c. 1980) from Australia: 19,300 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

XRF test results for an artificial Christmas tree (c. 1980) from Australia: 19,300 ppm Lead (90 ppm & up is unsafe for kids)

6 Comments
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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…

XRF test results for branch sample from pre-lit December Home Christmas tree bought at Meijer in Lima, Ohio (2017/2018)

XRF test results for branch sample from pre-lit December Home Christmas tree bought at Meijer in Lima, Ohio (2017/2018)

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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…

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…

Made in USA Christmas Tree with Star by Ann Clark Cookie Cutters (from Sur La Table — Dec 2019): Lead-Free (99% iron)

Made in USA Christmas Tree with Star by Ann Clark Cookie Cutters (from Sur La Table — Dec 2019): Lead-Free (99% iron)

3 Comments
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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…

Another Artificial Christmas Tree Example, c. 2010: This one is LEAD-FREE and ANTIMONY-FREE

Another Artificial Christmas Tree Example, c. 2010: This one is LEAD-FREE and ANTIMONY-FREE

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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…

Artificial GE Pre-Lit Christmas Tree Purchased c. 2016 From Home Depot: Lead-Free

Artificial GE Pre-Lit Christmas Tree Purchased c. 2016 From Home Depot: Lead-Free

5 Comments
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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…

Artificial (c. 2008) Christmas tree from Costco: 5,896 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

Artificial (c. 2008) Christmas tree from Costco: 5,896 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

11 Comments
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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…

NLR: Oregon Fourth Grade Kids Can Cut Their Own Christmas Tree For Free!

NLR: Oregon Fourth Grade Kids Can Cut Their Own Christmas Tree For Free!

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#NLR = Not Lead Related* Charlie Rubin, my 10-year old son, got this letter from Oregon’s Governor Kate Brown last week (image below). He wrote an essay and entered a contest to try winning a trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Oregon in lighting the Capital’s Christmas tree this year. This year’s national tree is…

Modern Homer Laughlin China Fiestaware Christmas Tree Mug, Made In USA: 23 +/- 12 ppm Lead (Safe by all standards)

Modern Homer Laughlin China Fiestaware Christmas Tree Mug, Made In USA: 23 +/- 12 ppm Lead (Safe by all standards)

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When tested with an XRF instrument the Christmas tree on this Homer Laughlin Fiestaware “Made In The U.S.A”. mug was non-detect (ND) for Lead (Pb). The Christmas tree area did test positive for cadmium (Cd) at 61 +/- 9 ppm. The bottom of mug was also had the following XRF readings: Lead (Pb): 23 +/- 12…

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

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

11 Comments
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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…

#LeadFreeChristmas: Silver & Blue Wire Ribbon, #Arsenic

#LeadFreeChristmas: Silver & Blue Wire Ribbon, #Arsenic

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#Christmas2017 Silver + Blue Snowflake Wire-Rimmed Ribbon Garland. ND for Pb, Hg, & Cd. As = 15 +/ – 8 ppm. Here’s a lead-free Christmas decoration option on Amazon.* Thanks to Amber S. for donating and supporting my advocacy! Each donation helps make a new post possible! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If…

#LeadFreeChristmas: Plastic Icicle Garland

#LeadFreeChristmas: Plastic Icicle Garland

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#Christmas2017 Silver plastic icicle garland. ND for Pb, Hg, As & Cd. Here’s a lead-free Christmas decoration option on Amazon.* Thanks to Suzanne Braunschneider for donating and supporting my advocacy! Each donation helps make a new post possible! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and…