Dear Tamara

My child’s Lead test came back as “< 2 ," what does that mean? Is my child poisoned?

My child’s Lead test came back as “< 2 ," what does that mean? Is my child poisoned?

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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 many items can you test with an XRF instrument in one hour?

How many items can you test with an XRF instrument in one hour?

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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: Which dishes are Lead-free? Pioneer Woman? Wedgwood? Franciscan? Blue Willow? Fiestaware? Heath?

#AskTamara: Which dishes are Lead-free? Pioneer Woman? Wedgwood? Franciscan? Blue Willow? Fiestaware? Heath?

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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: Which mugs are Lead-free? How can I tell if my mug has unsafe levels of Lead? Which mugs do you use?

#AskTamara: Which mugs are Lead-free? How can I tell if my mug has unsafe levels of Lead? Which mugs do you use?

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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…

Ask Tamara: What dishes do you use in your home? Which dishes don’t have Lead? Which dishes are Lead-free?

Ask Tamara: What dishes do you use in your home? Which dishes don’t have Lead? Which dishes are Lead-free?

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Originally published: December 20, 2016 Updated: December 28, 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, Tamara…

WHY IS THIS NOT ILLEGAL?! Jervis & George glass sippy cup jar: 6,422 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 88 Cadmium

WHY IS THIS NOT ILLEGAL?! Jervis & George glass sippy cup jar: 6,422 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 88 Cadmium

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Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is a multiple-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…

Light Blue & White Lodge Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven: 48 ppm Lead + 35 ppm Arsenic

Light Blue & White Lodge Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven: 48 ppm Lead + 35 ppm Arsenic

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  I tested this light blue Lodge enameled cast iron dutch oven lid back in 2015 (at the Portland Green Festival!) With more recently tested items I capture a much more comprehensive panel of test results, however with this one I just captured the following two sets of readings (which are enough to support my…

Dark Blue & White Lodge Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven (c. 2006): 1,693 ppm Lead + 555 ppm Arsenic

Dark Blue & White Lodge Cast Iron Enameled Dutch Oven (c. 2006): 1,693 ppm Lead + 555 ppm Arsenic

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I tested this Lodge enameled cast iron dutch oven back in 2016. With more recently tested items I capture a much more comprehensive panel of test results, however with this one I just captured the following two sets of readings (which are enough to support my opinion that enameled cast iron should always be avoided…

#AskTamara: Is there Lead paint on the outside of my “Jervis & George” reusable glass baby food container?

#AskTamara: Is there Lead paint on the outside of my “Jervis & George” reusable glass baby food container?

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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)…

Question: Do Crayola Crayons have Lead? Answer: Yes they do, at levels considered safe for toys but unsafe for food.

Question: Do Crayola Crayons have Lead? Answer: Yes they do, at levels considered safe for toys but unsafe for food.

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Originally Published: August 28, 2018 Please note: This issue is not isolated to any specific year of crayons manufactured by Crayola nor is the issue (of heavy metal contamination) isolated to any specific type of Crayola crayons. Similar results have been found across all recent years of manufacture tested and across all types of Crayola’s crayon products. What did you find when you tested Crayola crayons for lead…

#AskTamara: Do Glass Dragon Tears Have Lead? (Aka: Squashed Marbles, Glass Drops or Mancala Stones?)

#AskTamara: Do Glass Dragon Tears Have Lead? (Aka: Squashed Marbles, Glass Drops or Mancala Stones?)

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#AskTamara Question: Do dragon tears have lead? Answer: Some do and some do not. Given the nature of the way most colored glass is commonly produced, many dragon tears do have at least some lead, and some have quite high amounts of lead — at levels considered dangerous for children by current/modern regulatory standards. [Even…

#AskTamara: Are my kids’ crayons toxic? Which brand of crayons is safe? Crayola? Filana? Stockmar? Honey Sticks?

#AskTamara: Are my kids’ crayons toxic? Which brand of crayons is safe? Crayola? Filana? Stockmar? Honey Sticks?

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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,…

#AskTamara: What is Carbon Steel? (Morakniv, Made in Sweden Carving Knife)

#AskTamara: What is Carbon Steel? (Morakniv, Made in Sweden Carving Knife)

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Originally published: July 8, 2018 Updated: December 26, 2021 Q: What is carbon steel? A: The following XRF readings are all of the metals detected when testing the Morakniv “Made In Sweden” knife (pictured here), which is marked “Carbon Steel”. While I have not tested a lot of carbon steel items, these readings are likely…

Ask Tamara: What books do you read to your kids?

Ask Tamara: What books do you read to your kids?

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Ask Tamara Question: What books do you read to your kids? Answer: Having children with disabilities makes everything challenging. Something a simple as reading a book to them at bed-time can end up in a downright brawl if we are not careful. As a compromise I have found that books-on-tape are a great investment. If…

Ask Tamara: Do Starbucks mugs have high levels of Lead?

Ask Tamara: Do Starbucks mugs have high levels of 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…

Ask Tamara: What personal care products do you use?

Ask Tamara: What personal care products do you use?

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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…

#AskTamara: What do you have in your emergency bag in the car?

#AskTamara: What do you have in your emergency bag in the car?

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Note: this is a rare non-lead-related post! #JustForFun Published: October 14, 2017 #AskTamara: This question came up on Facebook in a group of mom-friends: Q. What do you have in your emergency bag in the car? A. Since we don’t own a car, I keep stuff in my bike bag. Here’s some of the things…

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….

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,…

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…

If a doctor says your baby’s Blood Lead Level is “normal” – get a new doctor. There’s no “NORMAL” level of LEAD in blood.

If a doctor says your baby’s Blood Lead Level is “normal” – get a new doctor. There’s no “NORMAL” level of LEAD in blood.

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Originally posted: January 7, 2017 Updated: June 07, 2021 I have written this post out of frustration over the rampant misinformation given to parents when they first get their children tested. Doctors often tell parents their child’s Blood Lead Level [“BLL”] is “normal” when the level is 1, or 2, or 3 — or even…

Ask Tamara: What about natural chelation?

Ask Tamara: What about natural chelation?

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Below is a post I originally wrote and shared in May of 2014.  It’s a post I have shared often so I am re-sharing now, so those who are new to my page and my work have context for my story as well as the benefit of the information provided.  Thanks for reading, friends! – Tamara I…