White Glazed “The Grate Plate” Garlic Grater. Made in USA. For grating garlic, ginger, peppers, nutmeg, carrots, shallots, chocolate, citrus zest, hard cheeses, etc. The conclusion I would draw from the XRF test results listed below is that the glaze on this item appears to be lead-free and is masking the (very trace levels of) […]
1985 Time Life The Enchanted World Water Spirits Hardcover Book, all components of the book tested with an XRF. See full XRF readings below. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern item made and intended for use by children is 90 ppm or higher in the paint or coating. All of […]
#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 […]
Many vintage books have lead in both the covers (in the dyes of the fabric or leather, the printing/ink and in any decorative paints used) and pages (in the ink). While the distinction of the word “vintage” changes as the years pass (“vintage” vs. “new”, vs. “antique”) please remember that 1981 (while it seems like […]
When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Thailand” Disney Parks “Have A Magical Day” coffee mug was positive for a very low level of lead (Pb): 68 +/- 32 ppm. It was negative (non-detect/ND) for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg.) For context: The amount of lead considered toxic in an item […]
This 2018 New OXO GoodGrips Silicone Flexible Turner Spatula is lead free in the spatula blade and metal part of the handle when tested with an XRF instrument. It was also negative (ND/ Non-Detect) for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). The rubberized (black) part of the handle is positive for trace lead at 27 […]
This “Authentic Original” “Disney Parks” Disneyland Resort (c. 2017) Made In Thailand Mug tested positive for low lead (generally within a safe range for a mug) when tested with an XRF instrument. The reading for the decorative elements on the outside was 129 +/- 32 ppm lead. Consumer goods are considered unsafe for use by […]
This “Expert Gardener” “Light Duty” garden hose was tested new on the shelf in Walmart in 2017. Only the plastic part of the hose was tested and it was positive for lead (Pb) at 52 parts per million. 52 ppm lead is a relatively low level of lead, but I would still have concerns for […]
This has been a very common question in social media threads recently. I would be happy to test more Ikea hardware components if you would like to send them to me. Please include the year that you got it from Ikea (as without the year it is not as helpful.) For further identification you could […]
This 2017 Santa Mug (which I personally purchased last holiday season from Walgreens in Milwaukie, Oregon, once I saw the label on the bottom – scroll down to see the pic!) was positive for lead and cadmium in the following levels: Red Glaze: Lead (Pb): 122 +/- 54 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 1,657 +/- 105 ppm […]
