Christmas

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

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

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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…

Gerry’s Christmas golden reindeer lapel pin: More than 900,000 ppm Lead (90 ppm Lead & up is unsafe for kids)

Gerry’s Christmas golden reindeer lapel pin: More than 900,000 ppm Lead (90 ppm Lead & up is unsafe for kids)

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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…

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

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

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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 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)

1 Comment
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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…

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!)

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!)

15 Comments
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  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)

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

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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…

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!)

2 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…

2019 Creative Co-op ceramic Christmas dish: 54 ppm Lead + 21 ppm Cadmium. Safe by all standards.

2019 Creative Co-op ceramic Christmas dish: 54 ppm Lead + 21 ppm Cadmium. Safe by all standards.

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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…

New 2019 enamelware mug: 7,862 ppm Lead, 3,502 ppm Cadmium, 1,088 ppm Arsenic, & 1,031 ppm Antimony!

New 2019 enamelware mug: 7,862 ppm Lead, 3,502 ppm Cadmium, 1,088 ppm Arsenic, & 1,031 ppm Antimony!

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…

2019 Creative Co-op ceramic Christmas dish: 9,591 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 197 ppm Cadmium (a carcinogen)

2019 Creative Co-op ceramic Christmas dish: 9,591 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 197 ppm Cadmium (a carcinogen)

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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…

2019 Creative Co-op Kellie Montana ceramic Christmas plate: 49 ppm Lead + 1,319 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen)

2019 Creative Co-op Kellie Montana ceramic Christmas plate: 49 ppm Lead + 1,319 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen)

1 Comment
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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…

February 2020 Shutterfly mug with red interior: 174 ppm Lead + 569 ppm Cadmium (a carcinogen known to cause cancer)

February 2020 Shutterfly mug with red interior: 174 ppm Lead + 569 ppm Cadmium (a carcinogen known to cause cancer)

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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…

2018 Chicago Christkindlmarket Kinder Club commemorative cocoa mug: 19,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

2018 Chicago Christkindlmarket Kinder Club commemorative cocoa mug: 19,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

2 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…

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

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

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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…

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

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

1 Comment
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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…

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

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

2 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…

2019 Holiday Home Santa dish: 3,168 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 442 ppm Cadmium (causes cancer)

2019 Holiday Home Santa dish: 3,168 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 442 ppm Cadmium (causes cancer)

1 Comment
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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…

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…

Available as of December 2019, at Sur La Table — Deruta Italian salad plate: 16,100 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

Available as of December 2019, at Sur La Table — Deruta Italian salad plate: 16,100 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

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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…

Modern (2019/2020) Sur La Table (!) Snowman dish (from Italy): 12,800 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids)

Modern (2019/2020) Sur La Table (!) Snowman dish (from Italy): 12,800 ppm Lead (90 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…

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

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

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

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