Leaded Brass

Vintage (1980s?) silver colored cabinet knob (very heavy): 5,399 ppm Lead & 118 ppm Antimony.

Vintage (1980s?) silver colored cabinet knob (very heavy): 5,399 ppm Lead & 118 ppm Antimony.

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October 15, 2022 – Saturday Full XRF test results for the cabinet knob pictured 60-second reading Readings repeated multiple times to confirm the results Lead (Pb): 5,399 +/- 381 ppm Cadmium (Cd): non-detect Tin (Sn): 1,663 +/- 113 ppm Mercury (Hg): non-detect Selenium (Se): non-detect Barium (Ba): non-detect Arsenic (As): non-detect Chromium (Cr): non-detect Antimony…

Brass colored cabinet knob/ drawer pull: 7,986 ppm Lead (90 & up is unsafe for kids), 33 ppm Cadmium, 163 ppm Antimony.

Brass colored cabinet knob/ drawer pull: 7,986 ppm Lead (90 & up is unsafe for kids), 33 ppm Cadmium, 163 ppm Antimony.

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XRF test results for the item pictured. More information to be posted shortly. To learn more about the testing methodology employed for the test results reported on this website, click here. For a quick menu to explore more categories of tested items on this website, click here. For a quick video tutorial showing you how…

Vintage curio box with R and Rooster on brass lid: 205 ppm Lead in the lid (90 ppm & up is unafe for kids.)

Vintage curio box with R and Rooster on brass lid: 205 ppm Lead in the lid (90 ppm & up is unafe for kids.)

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XRF test results for the box pictured… Reading #1) Brass lid of box 60-second reading Lead (Pb): 205 +/- 30 ppm Cadmium (Cd): non-detect Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): non-detect Chromium (Cr): non-detect Iron (Fe): 344 +/- 39 ppm Nickel (Ni): 96 +/- 46 ppm Copper (Cu): 843,200 +/- 500 ppm Zinc (Zn): 155,000 +/-…

Brass components of Finex cast iron pans test positive for 30,000 ppm Lead. For context, 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

Brass components of Finex cast iron pans test positive for 30,000 ppm Lead. For context, 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

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May 19, 2021 – Wednesday To read the full post about the concerns for Lead in Finex cookware, click here. How much Lead is “too much” Lead? For context, the amount of Lead that is considered unsafe in an item intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint,…

Vintage Hotel Desk Bell: 40,900 ppm Lead (toxic to kids at 90 ppm & up) + 717 ppm Antimony (causes cancer in rats).

Vintage Hotel Desk Bell: 40,900 ppm Lead (toxic to kids at 90 ppm & up) + 717 ppm Antimony (causes cancer in rats).

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Brass hotel desk bell – 60 second reading: Lead (Pb): 40,900 +/- 1,200 ppm Antimony (Sb): 717 +/- 144 ppm Tin (Sn): 28,000 +/- 600 ppm Zinc (Zn): 357,300 +/- 2,700 ppm Copper (Cu): 536,900 +/- 3,200 ppm Nickel (Ni): 4,046 +/- 362 ppm Iron (Fe): 10,300 +/- 600 ppm Chromium (Cr): 208 +/- 126…

This is why I don’t recommend “Nickel-plated” (or other platings) for doorknob finishes…

This is why I don’t recommend “Nickel-plated” (or other platings) for doorknob finishes…

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Introduction (for those new to this website): Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children. She began testing consumer goods for toxicants in 2009 and was the parent-advocate responsible for finding Lead in the popular fidget spinner toys in 2017. Tamara uses XRF testing (a scientific…

2019 satin Nickel finish rectangular flush drawer pull by Classic Brass: 1,768 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids’ items.]

2019 satin Nickel finish rectangular flush drawer pull by Classic Brass: 1,768 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids’ items.]

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When tested with an XRF instrument this 2019 satin Nickel finish drawer pull by Classic Brass (pictured here) had the following readings: Front surface of drawer pull: Lead (Pb): 1,768 +/- 257 ppm Chromium (Cr): 377 +/- 170 ppm Tin (Sn): 1,293 +/- 148 ppm Zinc (Zn): 7,011 +/- 860 ppm Copper (Cu): 214,300 +/-…

Tiny Brass “Handcast” Tibetan Meditation Bowl: 56,400 ppm Lead (this is a very typical amount of Lead for yellow brass!)

Tiny Brass “Handcast” Tibetan Meditation Bowl: 56,400 ppm Lead (this is a very typical amount of Lead for yellow brass!)

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 used…

1940 Drawer Pull From Dining Room Sideboard: 8,681 ppm Lead

1940 Drawer Pull From Dining Room Sideboard: 8,681 ppm Lead

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These drawer pulls are from the dining set my grandparents got for their home when they were married in 1940 in San Francisco. When tested with an XRF instrument they had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 8,681 +/- 643 ppm Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect / Negative Arsenic (As): Non-Detect / Negative Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect / Negative…

My Grandmother’s WWII Era Brass Chanukah Menorah: 30,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for items children play with.]

My Grandmother’s WWII Era Brass Chanukah Menorah: 30,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm and up is unsafe for items children play with.]

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This is a vintage brass Chanukah menorah that belonged to my grandparents. They were married in 1940 and I believe this menorah is from around that time as I had two that were exactly the same and I am pretty sure that my great grandmother gave one to each of her children when they were…

#AskTamara: Q. Could A Vintage Leaded Brass Mouthpiece Cause Kidney Failure In A Trumpet Player? A. Maybe

#AskTamara: Q. Could A Vintage Leaded Brass Mouthpiece Cause Kidney Failure In A Trumpet Player? A. Maybe

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#AskTamara Question: Could a vintage leaded brass mouthpiece cause (or contribute to) kidney failure in a professional trumpet player? Answer: Maybe. The vintage (c. 1980s or earlier) trumpet mouthpiece shown here tested positive for a relatively high level of lead for leaded brass (22,200 ppm lead.) It is a bare leaded brass mouthpiece that is…

#Leaded: Vintage Hose Nozzle

#Leaded: Vintage Hose Nozzle

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Vintage hose nozzle: 28,900 ppm lead. #LeadedBrass – Tested with an XRF instrument. All yellow brass hose and gardening components I have tested have been very high lead like this one (and also can have contaminants like mercury and arsenic.) To see more of my posts related to gardening, click here. For a lead-free option, click…

“Made in India” Stainless Lunch Box With Leaded Brass Accents: 22,500 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

“Made in India” Stainless Lunch Box With Leaded Brass Accents: 22,500 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

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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,…

#Leaded: Bicycle Building Tools, P & K Lie Wheel Truing Stand, Leaded Brass

#Leaded: Bicycle Building Tools, P & K Lie Wheel Truing Stand, Leaded Brass

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Originally Published: April 28, 2018 In September of 2015 my husband got a BRAND NEW made in Germany “P & K Lie” truing stand to make bicycle wheels (a very important tool for his business, his bicycle and bicycle trailer building and design work.)    And then we tested it for Lead: It turned the…

#Leaded: 2017 Moscow Mule Copper Mug With Leaded Brass Handle

#Leaded: 2017 Moscow Mule Copper Mug With Leaded Brass Handle

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Moscow Mule Mug: As high as 43,400 +/- 1,600 ppm lead in the brass handle. Solid lead attachment solder points for the handle too! Tested positive for lead with an XRF instrument and a LeadCheck swab! Here’s an affiliate link to purchase LeadCheck swabs to test your own Moscow mule mug at home:  https://amzn.to/2L1QBs5 – but…

Toy Brass Cymbal with Wooden Handle: 274 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids]

Toy Brass Cymbal with Wooden Handle: 274 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids]

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Child’s mini brass cymbal – with wooden handle: 274 ppm Lead. Modern toys are regulated and required to be under 90 ppm lead in the paint or coating when tested with an XRF instrument (90 ppm in the coating or 100 ppm in the substrate). Year of manufacture and maker of this toy are unknown. Tested…

Brass Hammer Leaded Tamara Rubin Lead Safe Mama

Brass Hammer Multi-Tool (often marketed to women or used as a toy): 40,600 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

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When tested with an XRF instrument this small brass hammer / nested screw-driver multi-tool had the following reading: Lead (Pb): 40,600 ppm lead. The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe in an item intended for use by children is 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating and 100 ppm Lead or…

A New Trend In Stupidity: : Expensive Fancy Cookware with Leaded Brass Handles Is All The Rage In Kitchen “Fashion”

A New Trend In Stupidity: : Expensive Fancy Cookware with Leaded Brass Handles Is All The Rage In Kitchen “Fashion”

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Words companies are currently using to describe their contemporary cookware that incorporates last-century high-lead-content brass decorative elements (these are screenshots from their websites:)   Originally Published April 27, 2018 Updated: December 31, 2020 Decorative Leaded brass accents on new kitchenware. This one is a hard subject for me; I almost don’t know where to start…

Small New (2018) Brass Bell: 35,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids, yet I often see these in Montessori schools!

Small New (2018) Brass Bell: 35,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids, yet I often see these in Montessori schools!

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When this small (brand new, 2018) hand-held brass bell was tested with an XRF instrument it had the following reading:  Lead (Pb): 35,200 ppm +/- 1,000 ppm The concern I have for these small brass items is that they are often given to children to play with and, especially in the case of high-lead brass,…

Newer (c. 2013) Baldwin Brand Brass Finish Door Knob: 11,500 ppm Lead

Newer (c. 2013) Baldwin Brand Brass Finish Door Knob: 11,500 ppm Lead

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Baldwin brand doorknob: 11,500 ppm lead. Tested in 2014. Building components (like door knobs) are not regulated AT ALL for total lead content (as detectable with an XRF instrument.) #SimpleSolution: look for stainless or nickel door knobs (and hardware or hinges.)  To see more door knobs that I have tested, click here (post category “door…

New (2017) Brass Chanukah Menorah – Made in India: 36,000 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

New (2017) Brass Chanukah Menorah – Made in India: 36,000 ppm Lead. 90 ppm Lead (& up) is unsafe for kids.

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This post is a Chanukah menorah buying guide (of sorts!), check out the lead-free options and please read about the concerns for leaded brass in general. This is a new brass menorah purchased in 2017 at New Season Market in Portland, Oregon. Made in India by Biedermann & Sons. To see more menorahs I have…