#LeadedDishes

Vintage orange ceramic Fiestaware-style salt shaker: 497,000 ppm Lead. Yes, about 50% Lead! 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

Vintage orange ceramic Fiestaware-style salt shaker: 497,000 ppm Lead. Yes, about 50% Lead! 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

8 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument, the orange glaze of the vintage Fiestaware-style ceramic salt shaker pictured here had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 497,000 +/- 66,000 Barium (Ba): 1,299 +/- 594 ppm Bromine (Br): 446 +/- 123 Iron (Fe): 2,153 +/- 731 ppm Palladium (Pd): 679 +/- 178 ppm Molybdenum (Mo): 13,700 +/- 2,700 ppm Nb: 10,500 +/- 1,700 ppm This was the reading done on the…

Mikasa Maxima Sorrento pattern cup and saucer: 21,200 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 167 pm Cadmium.

Mikasa Maxima Sorrento pattern cup and saucer: 21,200 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 167 pm Cadmium.

3 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument (for repeated 30 second tests on each component) the Mikasa cup and saucer pictured here had the following readings: White center of plate Lead (Pb): 69 +/- 15 ppm Barium (Ba): 383 +/- 56 ppm Zinc (Zn): 32,500 +/- 800 ppm Copper (Cu): 79+/- 38 ppm Iron (Fe): 461…

Heath Ceramic Bowl (#104) Sausalito, California: 226,000 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

Heath Ceramic Bowl (#104) Sausalito, California: 226,000 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

1 Comment
| | | | | | | | | |

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)…

Vintage Churchill “Made In England” Blue & White Ceramic Dish: 87,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids.)

Vintage Churchill “Made In England” Blue & White Ceramic Dish: 87,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids.)

4 Comments
| | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument (for a minimum of 60 seconds per test) the food surface of the dish pictured here had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 87,700 +/- 2,900 ppm Barium (Ba): 1,431 +/- 154 ppm Selenium (Se): 171 +/- 56 ppm Gold (Au): 209 +/- 89 ppm Zinc (Zn): 83 +/- 36…

Vintage Temporama dinner plate: 81,600 ppm Lead. For context: 90 ppm and up is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.

Vintage Temporama dinner plate: 81,600 ppm Lead. For context: 90 ppm and up is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.

1 Comment
| | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the vintage Temporama (Made in USA) dinner plate pictured here had the following readings: White glazed ceramic area at center of dish: Lead (Pb): 74,300 +/- 2,200 ppm Iron (Fe): 517 +/- 177 ppm Vanadium (V): 85 +/- 36 ppm Titanium (Ti): 169 +/- 55 ppm Non-Detect (negative) for:…

Unmarked vintage floral print saucer: 70,800 ppm Lead. For context: 90 ppm and up is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.

Unmarked vintage floral print saucer: 70,800 ppm Lead. For context: 90 ppm and up is unsafe in items intended for use by kids.

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the saucer pictured here (possibly the Mildred pattern by Mount Clemens) had the following readings: White glazed ceramic area at center of dish: Lead (Pb): 67,300 +/- 200 ppm Zinc (Zn): 104 +/- 35 ppm Iron (Fe): 1,541 +/- 238 ppm Vanadium (V): 102 +/- 45 ppm Titanium (Ti):…

Corelle® recommends using their pre-2005 dishes as “decorative pieces” due to concerns of high Lead levels

Corelle® recommends using their pre-2005 dishes as “decorative pieces” due to concerns of high Lead levels

336 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |

     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…

At 351,400 ppm Lead, this glass is likely the source of a boy’s mysterious poisoning. 90 ppm+ is illegal in kids’ items.

At 351,400 ppm Lead, this glass is likely the source of a boy’s mysterious poisoning. 90 ppm+ is illegal in kids’ items.

27 Comments
| | | | | | |

Originally posted: October 10, 2019 Updated: December 28, 2019 Several months ago, a mom who lives nearly 3,000 miles away from where I live in Portland, Oregon contacted me to see if there was any chance I could come to her home to help her. She had just learned that her 13-year-old kiddo tested positive…

Vintage Corelle Butterfly Gold glass plate: 18,700 ppm Lead on decorative pattern when tested with an XRF instrument

Vintage Corelle Butterfly Gold glass plate: 18,700 ppm Lead on decorative pattern when tested with an XRF instrument

102 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

       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…

Does vintage and new functional pottery and dishware have unsafe levels of lead? Why is that a problem?

Does vintage and new functional pottery and dishware have unsafe levels of lead? Why is that a problem?

2 Comments
| | |

Question: Does vintage and new functional pottery and dishware have unsafe levels Of lead? Why is that a problem? Originally Published: August 18, 2013 Updated: December 28, 2019 Answer: Pottery & dishes often contains lead. For decades potters have known about the potential hazards of lead in ceramics and glazes and many have chosen to specifically…

Vintage Corelle By Corning Butterfly Gold Pattern Glass Bowls: 23,300 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

Vintage Corelle By Corning Butterfly Gold Pattern Glass Bowls: 23,300 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

60 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

  This is an ad-free article. Advertising and affiliate income help Lead Safe Mama, LLC cover the costs of the work we do here (independent consumer goods testing and childhood Lead-poisoning prevention advocacy). We have removed ads from most of our more widely-read articles (like this one!) to make them easier for you to read….

Syracuse large cereal bowls – nicked from a college cafeteria c. 2002: 31,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

Syracuse large cereal bowls – nicked from a college cafeteria c. 2002: 31,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

2 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Did you “borrow” any cafeteria dishes when you graduated college? These large white-glazed ceramic (Made in the USA) cereal bowls made by Syracuse China Company [likely manufactured c. 1980-1989 or thereabouts – but possibly made as late as 2000 – and in regular use as late as 2002 at the college where they were taken from]…

This vintage Corelle dish with a basket and flowers is 2,406 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids). Which Corelle pattern do you have?

This vintage Corelle dish with a basket and flowers is 2,406 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids). Which Corelle pattern do you have?

14 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | |

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…

Made in Japan “Field” vintage small bowl: 7,196 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids), 74 ppm Antimony + 226 ppm Arsenic.

Made in Japan “Field” vintage small bowl: 7,196 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids), 74 ppm Antimony + 226 ppm Arsenic.

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Japan” Field china bowl (I don’t know if Field is the brand or the pattern, and the exact year of manufacture of this dish is unknown at this time) had the following readings: White center of food surface of bowl: Zinc (Zn): 46 +/- 17 ppm…

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
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

  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…

Hand Painted Raffia Vernonware – Made in California: 93,900 ppm Lead in the glaze. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

Hand Painted Raffia Vernonware – Made in California: 93,900 ppm Lead in the glaze. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

2 Comments
| | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the small hand painted Raffia Vernonware bowl pictured here had the following readings: Center of the food surface of dish: Lead (Pb): 93,900 +/- 3,400 ppm Tin (Sn): 2,221 +/- 152 ppm Zinc (Zn): 969+/- 94 ppm Iron (Fe): 1,011 +/- 237 ppm Vanadium (V): 208 +/- 50 ppm…

Square orange Franciscan Potteries dish: 228,400 ppm Lead — 23% Lead in the glaze! (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

Square orange Franciscan Potteries dish: 228,400 ppm Lead — 23% Lead in the glaze! (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

4 Comments
| | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the small burnt orange Franciscan potteries dish (made in California) pictured here had the following readings on the FOOD SURFACE of the dish: Lead (Pb): 228,400 +/- 8,600 ppm Barium (Ba): 2,765 +/- 437 ppm Chromium (Cr): 398 +/- 212 ppm Tin (Sn): 62,800 +/- 2,400 ppm Zinc (Zn):…

Made in Occupied Japan floral saucer: positive for Lead (6,825 ppm), Cadmium, Arsenic (878 ppm) and Antimony.

Made in Occupied Japan floral saucer: positive for Lead (6,825 ppm), Cadmium, Arsenic (878 ppm) and Antimony.

4 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

The back mark with the words “Made in Occupied Japan” puts the date of manufacture of this dish in the range of 1945 to 1952. When tested with an XRF instrument the small floral design saucer pictured here had the following readings: Food surface of the dish – on the flowers: Lead (Pb):  6,208 +/- 160…

Hand painted Italian saucer with gold accents: 10,600 ppm Lead on the food surface. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

Hand painted Italian saucer with gold accents: 10,600 ppm Lead on the food surface. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

| | | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the hand painted Italian saucer pictured here (with real gold accents!) had the following readings: Gold center of dish: Barium (Ba):1,381 +/- 190 ppm Gold (Au): 8,731 +/- 157 ppm Iron (Fe): 1,173 +/- 67 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 1,318 +/- 50 ppm Floral / Leaf + Pink edge: Lead…

American Atelier At Home “Made in China” Signals pattern dish: 15,200 ppm Lead on the food surface. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

American Atelier At Home “Made in China” Signals pattern dish: 15,200 ppm Lead on the food surface. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

1 Comment
| | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the American Atelier At Home “Signals” pattern dish (5100) pictured here had the following readings: Food surface of the dish – reading #1, white center: Lead (Pb): 47 +/- 13 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 17 +/- 7 ppm Iron (Fe): 2,029 +/- 207 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 110 +/- 15 ppm…

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)

| | | | | | | | | | | | |

  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
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

  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…

1957-1969 Jewel by Lenox China – Made In USA: 146,700 ppm Lead in the glaze. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

1957-1969 Jewel by Lenox China – Made In USA: 146,700 ppm Lead in the glaze. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

2 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish pictured here had the following readings: 1.) Reading in the white center / food surface of the dish: Lead (Pb): 146,700 +/- 6,600 ppm Zinc (Zn): 5,684 +/- 323 ppm Titanium (Ti): 154 +/- 73 ppm Non-Detect (Negative) for Cadmium, Arsenic, Antimony and Mercury. 2. ) Reading…

Tuscan “Fine English Bone China” – Made In England: 43,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

Tuscan “Fine English Bone China” – Made In England: 43,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

2 Comments
| | | | | | | | | | |

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish tested here had the following readings: Reading in the center  / food surface of the dish – floral decorative area: Lead (Pb): 43,200 +/- 1,200 ppm Chromium (Cr): 257 +/- 111ppm Antimony (Sb): 66 +/- 30 ppm Tin (Sn): 82 +/-26 ppm Zinc (Zn): 292 +/- 45…