House Key

This is a summary with links to all my articles with XRF test results for keys (house keys, car keys, work keys!)

This is a summary with links to all my articles with XRF test results for keys (house keys, car keys, work keys!)

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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…

National Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Key: 11,800 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for kids.]

National Breast Cancer Foundation Breast Cancer Awareness Key: 11,800 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for kids.]

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Oh the irony! When tested with an XRF instrument, this pink “Breast Cancer Awareness” key tested positive for a high level of LEAD. Lead can cause humans to have a significantly compromised immune system  – which in turn can create a biological environment conducive to the growth of cancerous tumors. This is especially concerning in…

House key with worn pink decoration: 13,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!

House key with worn pink decoration: 13,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!

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Decorated House Key (paint wearing off): 13,200 ppm lead.  The actual key I tested is in the photo at the bottom of this blog post.   Please note:  the lead is in the key itself, not in the decorative paint on the outside of the key. You can buy lead-free aluminum and stainless keys as alternatives, but they…

Bike Lock Key: 4,587 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!

Bike Lock Key: 4,587 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!

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Bike lock key: 4,587 ppm lead. The current amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything over 90 ppm lead. Items intended for adults (including dishware and keys) are generally unregulated for total lead content as they are not designed or sold as intended for children. Keys specifically…

Typical American house key #2 – silver finish: 10,700 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is illegal in items intended for use by kids.

Typical American house key #2 – silver finish: 10,700 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is illegal in items intended for use by kids.

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The house key pictured tested positive for 10,700 ppm Lead. How much Lead is too much Lead? The current amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything over 90 ppm lead in the paint or coating and anything 100 ppm Lead (and up) in the substrate. Items intended for…

Typical American house key: 12,800 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!

Typical American house key: 12,800 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe. Don’t let kids (especially babies) play with real keys!

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When tested with an XRF instrument, this typical American house door key had the following reading: 12,800 ppm Lead How much Lead is “too much” Lead? The current amount of Lead that is considered toxic (and illegal) in an item “intended for use by children” is anything over 90 ppm Lead in the paint, glaze…