Made In China

Artists Serving Artists red acrylic ruler (made in China) from Blick Art Materials: no metals detected at all! [Lead-free!]

March 20, 2020April 26, 2020

Posted: Friday, March 20, 2020 Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and 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. She uses high-precision XRF testing (a…

California mug purchased at Oakland Airport in 2020: Free of Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury & Antimony! Woohoo!

March 20, 2020December 7, 2023

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Posted: Friday, March 20, 2020 Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and 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. She uses high-precision XRF testing (a…

“Better For Your” coffee mug: 304 Stainless Steel (Non-detect for Lead, Cadmium, Arsenic, Mercury & Antimony)

March 14, 2020May 29, 2021

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Posted: Saturday, March 14, 2020 Introduction: Tamara Rubin is an independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and 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. She uses high-precision XRF testing (a…

Target Threshold Earthenware Easter Bunny mug: 217 ppm Lead in the black accents, 90 ppm on the white glaze

March 14, 2020February 21, 2024

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…

Green Ikea Mug (Made In China): Lead-free glaze. White ceramic substrate: 43 ppm Lead – safe by all standards!

March 11, 2020March 11, 2020

Posted: Wednesday, March 11, 2020 Introduction: Tamara Rubin is a independent advocate for consumer goods safety, and 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. She uses high-precision XRF testing (a…

2019 Ikea Bintje Plant Pot: Lead-Free. 82% Zinc + 17% Iron. There are actually a lot of safe things made in China!

March 1, 2020March 1, 2020

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Ikea Bintje Plant Pot, 60 second test: Chromium (Cr): 2,043 +/- 194 ppm Zinc (Zn): 824,700 +/- 8,800 ppm Iron (Fe): 165,900 +/- 2,700 ppm Cobalt (Co): 5,944 +/- 695 ppm This piece is discussed in this video – link here. I will update this post shortly, but just wanted to start by making sure…

February 2020 Shutterfly mug with red interior: 174 ppm Lead + 569 ppm Cadmium (a carcinogen known to cause cancer)

February 27, 2020November 27, 2023

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…

Vintage (1990s?) AAA rubber toy blue whale (made in China): Lead-free, Antimony-free, Cadmium-free, Arsenic-free & Mercury-free!

February 23, 2020February 23, 2020

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Whale – 60 second test Barium (Ba): 492 +/- 56 ppm Br (Bromine): 22 +/- 5 pm Zinc (Zn): 304 +/- 33 ppm Iron (Fe): 210 +/- 68 ppm Titanium (Ti): 15,100 +/- 1,800 ppm This piece is discussed in detail on this video – link here. I will update this post shortly, but just…

2019 “made in China” ceramic Ikea mug (21963-1 ): Lead-free glaze, 38 ppm Lead in the substrate. Safe by all standards.

February 23, 2020February 24, 2020

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When tested with an XRF instrument the white glazed Ikea mug pictured here had the following two sets of readings: 1.) Ikea mug exterior glaze: 60 second test Zinc (Zn): 28,500 +/- 900 ppm Copper (Cu): 335 +/- 62 ppm Iron (Fe): 650 +/- 168 ppm Vanadium (V): 82 +/- 29 ppm Titanium (Ti): 204 +/- 46 ppm Zirconium (Zr): 15,600 +/- 500 ppm Continue reading below…

2012 Mardi Gras Bead Bag from New Orleans with WARNING: “Not intended for use by children 12 years & younger”

February 21, 2020February 21, 2020

Made In China | Mardi Gras | Mardi Gras Beads | New Orleans | NOLA

Where did you find this bag, Tamara!? When I was filming for my documentary on childhood Lead poisoning (MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic) back in February of 2012, we were in New Orleans (about 40% of the film was shot in New Orleans actually!) It seemed fitting to attend the Mardi Gras parade to try to…

Made In China Gourmet Chef Glazed Ceramic Dish: Lead-free glaze + 68 ppm Lead in the substrate. Safe by all standards.

February 18, 2020

#LeadSafe | Gourmet Chef | Made In China

White Glazed Food Surface of the Dish: Barium (Ba): 3,050 +/- 202 ppm Zinc (Zn): 13,500 +/- 500 ppm Copper (Cu): 421 +/- 79 ppm Iron (Fe): 990 +/- 242 ppm Vanadium (V): 2,718 +/- 167 ppm Titanium (Ti): 5,394 +/- 321 ppm Zirconium (Zr): 22,600 +/- 900 ppm Back Logo Area of the Dish:…

2018 Chicago Christkindlmarket Kinder Club commemorative cocoa mug: 19,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

February 11, 2020December 7, 2023

2 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…

Vintage (?) “Made In China” Parasaurolophus Plastic Dinosaur: 1,333 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 88 ppm Cadmium

January 31, 2020January 31, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument the large gray dinosaur pictured here (year of manufacture unknown) had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 1,333 +/- 71 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 88 +/- 13 ppm Barium (Ba): 717 +/- 84 ppm Antimony (Sb): 625 +/- 34 ppm Bromine (Br): 62 +/- 10 ppm Tin (Sn): 127 +/- 23…

Dollar Store Royal Norfolk White Ceramic Plate by Greenbrier International: 30 ppm Lead. Safe by all standards.

January 30, 2020January 31, 2020

10 Comments

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…

Panacea Products Corp “Florist Wire, Bright” Made in China: 307 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids), 18% Zinc, 82% Iron.

January 10, 2020January 10, 2020

Florist Wire | Made In China | Panacea Products

When tested with an XRF instrument the florist wire pictured in this post (made by Panacea Products of Columbus Ohio and manufactured in China) had the following readings: Reading one: Lead (Pb): 149 +/- 68 ppm Chromium (Cr): 382 +/- 86 ppm Zinc (Zn): 182,000 +/- 2,300 ppm Iron (Fe): 813,100 +/- 2,500 ppm Manganese…

Paparazzi earrings: Lead-free BUT positive for 2,985 ppm Antimony (+ Arsenic too). Antimony causes cancer in rats.

January 7, 2020January 3, 2022

46 Comments

Published: January 7, 2020 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…

Paparazzi “stone” ring: Lead-free & “Nickel-free”, as advertised…BUT: 265,300 ppm CADMIUM! Cadmium causes cancer.

January 7, 2020January 4, 2022

24 Comments

Published: January 7, 2020 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…

2019 Holiday Home Santa dish: 3,168 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe for kids) + 442 ppm Cadmium (causes cancer)

December 16, 2019November 27, 2023

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…

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

December 8, 2019

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…

Sur La Table beechwood spoon “Made in China”: no metals detected! Natural wood is generally a good choice!

December 8, 2019December 8, 2019

2 Comments

A simple wooden spoon! In the Rubin household we love plain, natural (uncoated, undecorated, unpainted, unsealed!) solid wood cooking utensils. We’re funky hippies after all, lol! My mom actually used to date a wooden spoon salesman named Norm (late 1970s I think, possibly early 1980s!) After Norm and Mom were no longer dating I even…

Sur La Table Dual Action Silicone Sponge – Made In China: Lead-free! 973 ppm Barium, 37 ppm Zinc, & 90 ppm Iron.

December 7, 2019July 27, 2023

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in China” Dual Action Silicone Sponge sold at Sur La Table had the following readings (with a 60-second test): Barium (Ba): 973 +/- 240 ppm Zinc (Zn): 37 +/- 15 ppm Iron (Fe): 90 +/-38 ppm Here are some additional links to learn more about the testing…

Hudson Park Collection “Made In China” white ceramic plate with gold back mark: 171 ppm Lead on back mark.

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument (60 seconds per test) this Hudson Park Collection white ceramic plate with a gold back mark had the following readings: Food surface of the plate: Lead (Pb): 42 +/- 16 ppm Second Reading – Lead: 47 +/- 15 ppm Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect…

Square ceramic Parker & Jane plate [Made in China] with dark red flower: 76 ppm Lead + 209 ppm Cadmium.

November 21, 2019November 21, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this “Parker & Jane” Ceramic Plate (Made In China) with a red flower design on it, had the following readings (8 separate specific components were tested): Continue reading below each of the images. 1) Brown/Black back of dish – image above: Lead (Pb): 48 +/- 11 ppm Zinc (Zn):…

How toxic is YOUR Starbucks Christmas mug? This one has 1,037 ppm Cadmium — a carcinogen (over 40 ppm is illegal*)

November 16, 2019November 29, 2023

8 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…