#DearTamara

#AskTamara: Are New Fisher Price Mega Bloks Lead Free?

#AskTamara: Are New Fisher Price Mega Bloks Lead Free?

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Below are the XRF test results for the new (2017) Fisher Price Mega Bloks pictured here. Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-Detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As):  Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Tested with an XRF Instrument. All components were tested including each color block and all components of bag (zipper,…

#AskTamara: What consumer goods should I have tested with an XRF?

#AskTamara: What consumer goods should I have tested with an XRF?

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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…

Glass Reusable Drinking Straws

Glass Reusable Drinking Straws

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#AskTamara: What reusable straws do you use? Someone recently asked me about straws. All of the reusable straws I have tested so far have been lead-free, both the plain glass and plain stainless steel ones. I really like the glass ones because you can see inside and know if they are clean or not (vs….

#AskTamara: Where can I test for Lead using a LeadCheck Swab or other reactive agent home test?

#AskTamara: Where can I test for Lead using a LeadCheck Swab or other reactive agent home test?

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Published: November 10, 2017 Q. (From Mama R, via Facebook): “I’m going to purchase a lead test kit on the weekend. Where do I test? I live in an old building (triplex). I’m not sure how old. We have lived here for two years. The apartment was painted before we moved in. My husband said…

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…

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,…

#SaferChoices: Which Water Bottles & Sippy Cups are Lead-Free?

#SaferChoices: Which Water Bottles & Sippy Cups are Lead-Free?

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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…

#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…

#AskTamara: What is the impact of lead poisoning in adults, including college age students?

#AskTamara: What is the impact of lead poisoning in adults, including college age students?

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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 are the symptoms of childhood Lead poisoning?

Ask Tamara: What are the symptoms of childhood Lead poisoning?

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Originally written: April 2014 Updated: December 16, 2019 I get this question all the time… so here’s a re-share of an older post I wrote with the answers.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks for reading! QUESTION: What are the symptoms of childhood Lead poisoning? ANSWER: The most important…

#AskTamara: Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead? Does New Fiestaware Have Lead?

#AskTamara: Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead? Does New Fiestaware Have Lead?

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#AskTamara Questions:  Does Vintage Fiestaware Have Lead? Does New Fiestaware Have Lead? Answers: Definitely yes & sometimes yes! Below is a vintage teal colored Fiestaware custard cup. When tested with an XRF instrument it was positive for lead (Pb) at 73,500 ppm (seventy three thousand five hundred parts per million.) The only relevant modern standard that…

#AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead? Can I do this myself at home? How much does it cost?

#AskTamara: What do you use to test for Lead? Can I do this myself at home? How much does it cost?

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Originally written on December 19, 2016 Updated, December 11, 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,…

Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”

Ask Tamara: My parents said they used these vintage items their whole life and I shouldn’t worry. “Your kids will be fine…”

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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,…

Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?

Q: I found lead-paint in my home. Now what?

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Christine posted on Facebook (6/23/2014): “What do you do once you find lead paint?? I tested last night and found some deteriorating on the front door jamb and I’m so worried about my 2 year old and 3 month old! I can’t afford to hire a contractor. Would painting over it be enough??” ANSWER Here…

#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?

#AskTamara: Can I infer my child’s Blood Lead Level (BLL) by testing myself?

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#AskTamara Originally published: June 18, 2014 QUESTION from Cristen (via Facebook) My ND suggested that if I was nervous about having my 3yo and 5yo lead tested (due to the finger stick…I’m pretty sure my 5yo would cry, and my 3yo would FREAK the hell out, major trauma…) that she would do the test on…

#AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?

#AskTamara: We found leaded plumbing in our newer home! What should we do?

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Originally Published June 18, 2014 Question from June 8, 2014 from Sarah (Via Facebook.) QUESTION: Dear Tamara, Hello! So update: we bought some lead testing kits and tested all of my daughters toys. Nothing came up BUT we randomly tested our water pipes and bingo! It looks like the solder is lead. Test came up positive…

#AskTamara: Do you have any recommendations for a non-toxic slow cooker?

#AskTamara: Do you have any recommendations for a non-toxic slow cooker?

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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: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about Cadmium?

#AskTamara: Is there Lead in chocolate? Really? What about 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…

Avi Says

#AskTamara: Lead Poisoning Is A *New* Epidemic? Really?

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#AskTamara Originally posted: November 15, 2013 On our Facebook page today – a follower (Lori Campbell) read the tag-line for our Kickstarter campaign for the film: “Why are “ADD”, “ADHD” & “Autism” approaching epidemic levels in the U.S.? Find out @MisLEADMovie 1 in 3 U.S. kids has been poisoned.” Lori then posed this question: “So,…