Made In China

How much Lead is in YOUR new Starbucks mug? Golden Ceramic Mug: 15,700 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe for kids)

November 16, 2019November 29, 2023

This is an ad-free article. To make a contribution to help us keep our most widely-read articles ad-free, click here. Thank you. Introduction: 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…

2018 Starbucks Brown Ceramic Mug: 513 ppm Lead in the brown glaze – inside and outside. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

November 16, 2019November 16, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument, this 2018 brown-glazed Starbucks-brand mug (purchased new at a Starbucks store in Washington State in 2019) had the following readings: On a part with just the brown glaze: Lead (Pb): 513 +/- 29 ppm Barium (Ba): 2,820 +/- 101 ppm On the unglazed ceramic bottom of the mug: Lead…

2019 Cost Plus World Market brown ceramic mug with blue glaze: 39 ppm Lead (safe by all standards.)

November 9, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument this brown ceramic mug with light blue glaze (“Made in China” and purchased at World Market in November of 2019 for $3.99) had the following readings: XRF test focused on unglazed brown ceramic base of cup: Lead (Pb): 39 +/- 14 ppm (safe by all standards) Chromium (Cr): 1,605 +/-…

2019 Cost Plus/ World Market “Here Comes Santa Claus” Christmas dish: 1,705 ppm Lead (90 & up is unsafe for kids)

November 9, 2019November 29, 2023

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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…

Cost Plus/ World Market iridescent ceramic alicorn Christmas ornament: Only 69 ppm Lead (under 90 is safe for kids)

November 9, 2019November 29, 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…

Pottery Barn Great White Ceramic Mug: 130 +/- 12 ppm Lead (Pb). [Relatively Lead-safe; below 90 is safe in kids’ items.]

October 10, 2019October 10, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument, this “Great White” design white ceramic mug “Made in China” for Pottery Barn had the following readings: Exterior white glazed surface of the mug: (XRF instrument cannot fit in the inside of the mug, but glaze is consistent on the interior and exterior so exterior readings should be representative…

2019 Ikea Brand, Made In China – Dinera matte beige dish: 52 ppm Lead. (Read full post for details.)

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

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Background on my work testing Ikea products since 2009: Since I get so many *Ikea* questions (and since I have long-recommended Ikea as a great general-purpose go-to brand), I decided to purchase some new, current Ikea plates myself, and post their test results here on the blog. With much of what I test and report…

2019 Ikea Brand, Made In China – Turquoise Fargrik Plate: 34 ppm Lead (Please read full post for details.)

September 17, 2019September 17, 2019

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Background on my work testing Ikea products since 2009: Since I get so many *Ikea* questions (and since I have long-recommended Ikea as a great general-purpose go-to brand), I decided to purchase some new, current Ikea plates myself, and post their test results here on the blog. With much of what I test and report…

1986 Dor Mei Toys Spinosaurus: 5,341 ppm Lead. 90 ppm and up is considered illegal and unsafe for toys made today.

August 30, 2019August 30, 2019

The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe and illegal in a modern item manufactured for use by children today is anything 90 ppm or higher in the paint or coating or anything 100 ppm or higher in the substrate. As a result of the high levels of Lead found in this 1986 “Dor Mei”…

Another reason to avoid vintage toys – 1985 Imperial Toys T-Rex: 7,872 ppm Lead. This would be illegal if made today.

August 30, 2019December 26, 2021

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The amount of Lead that is considered unsafe and illegal in a modern item manufactured for use by children today is anything 90 ppm or higher in the paint or coating or anything 100 ppm or higher in the substrate. As a result of the high levels of Lead found in this 1985 “Imperial Toys”…

Another reason to avoid vintage toys — toy triceratops: 6,298 ppm Lead. This would be illegal if made today.

August 30, 2019July 13, 2023

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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)…

I’m sort of in love with this store! Miniso 2019 “Smile, Enjoy Your Life” Glass Water Bottle: Lead-Free (Cadmium Free, etc.)

July 20, 2019July 20, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument, this newly-purchased (2019) Miniso small glass water bottle had the following readings: Plain (undecorated) section of the glass of the bottle: Barium (Ba): 456 +/ 228 ppm Copper (Cu): 50 +/- 18 ppm Iron (Fe): 125 +/- 38 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 12 +/- 7 ppm Continue reading below the…

Still in search of a Lead-free purple mug! Miniso 2019 Simple Ceramic Mug: 99 ppm Lead #LeadSafe! (Almost there!)

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this newly-purchased (2019) Miniso simple ceramic mug (in “fashionable” purple) had the following readings: Purple exterior glaze: Lead (Pb): 99 +/- 22 ppm Barium (Ba): 1,056 +/ 92 ppm TIn (Sn): 903 +/- 49 ppm Zinc (Zn): 5,914 +/- 251 ppm Copper (Cu): 320 +/- 62 ppm Iron (Fe):…

That 4th of July when my son freaked-me-the-f out by doing something he saw on YouTube (video)

July 5, 2019July 2, 2023

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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)…

Sango Vega Aqua Square Ceramic Dish: 1,219 ppm Lead (90 is considered unsafe in items for use by kids).

June 26, 2019

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Oops – this broke in shipping! If you are sending me something to test, please make sure it is very well packed. Here’s a link about how to participate in the collaborative testing I do with my readers. When tested with an XRF instrument the green and white Sango brand dish pictured here had the…

Target Threshold Small Green “Joy” Stoneware Dish: 255 ppm Lead (90 is considered unsafe in items for use by kids)

June 26, 2019April 4, 2024

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,…

Target Threshold Tiny Orange Stoneware Dish: 362 ppm Cadmium + 87 ppm Lead.

June 26, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument the (tiny) orange and white Threshold brand dish (from Target) pictured here had the following readings: Test focused on area of dish with orange glaze: (this glaze is inside on the food-surface of the dish) Cadmium (Cd): 362 +/- 24 ppm Barium (Ba): 1,567 +/- 24 ppm Selenium (Se):…

Target Threshold Small Orange Stoneware Dish: 384 ppm Cadmium + 108 ppm Lead.

June 26, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument the orange and white Threshold brand dish (from Target) pictured here had the following readings: Test focused on area of dish with orange glaze: (this glaze is inside and outside of dish & had similar readings in both locations.) Cadmium (Cd): 384 +/- 25 ppm Barium (Ba): 2,040 +/- 122…

Corelle Coordinates White Porcelain Mug with Black Stripe Design: 6,300 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe in kids’ items.)

June 26, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument the mug pictured here had the following readings: Test focused on area of mug with black stripe: Lead (Pb): 6,300 +/- 157 ppm Barium (Ba): 184 +/- 50 ppm Chromium (Cr): 791 +/- 104 ppm Tin (Sn): 48 +/- 15 ppm Zinc (Zn): 11,500 +/- 300 ppm Iron (Fe):…

Corelle Coordinates White Porcelain Mug: 24 ppm Lead, considered safe by all standards.

June 26, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument the mug pictured here had the following readings: Glazed surface of the mug: Lead (Pb): 24 +/- 12 ppm Iron (Fe): 2,220 +/- 207 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 158 +/- 17 ppm Vanadium (V): 93 +/- 21 ppm Titanium (Ti): 143 +/- 29 ppm Logo area on bottom of mug…

Grace’s Teaware Purple Flower Saucer: 30,000 ppm Lead [For Context: 90 ppm Lead is unsafe in children’s items.]

June 16, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument the Grace’s Teaware saucer pictured here (with purple flowers with green leaves – additional photos below) had the following readings: Green Leaves: Lead (Pb): 30,000 +/- 800 ppm Chromium (Cr): 3,060 +/- 170 ppm Antimony (Sb): 157 +/- 29 ppm Tin (Sn): 84 +/- 23 ppm Zinc (Zn): 11,100…

Caveman Cups Heavy Duty “Cub Cups”: #304 Stainless Steel, Lead-Free. Great for adventures with toddlers!!

June 12, 2019June 18, 2019

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I have recommended products from Caveman Cups for at least a couple of years (since I first found them online and then shortly after confirmed they were an excellent [lead-free!] choice when I tested them at the homes of a few of my readers!) Here’s my Amazon affiliate link for these cups: https://amzn.to/31wSEJw Their products…

Caveman Cups “Extreme Use” Stainless Steel Cub Plates: #Safe! Non-detect for Lead, Cadmium, Mercury & Arsenic.

June 6, 2019June 18, 2019

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I have recommended products from Caveman Cups for at least a couple of years (since I first found them online and then shortly after confirmed they were an excellent [lead-free!] choice when I tested them at the homes of a few of my readers!) Here’s my Amazon affiliate link for these plates: https://amzn.to/2MztW7T Their products…

Talk Show “Set Mugs” Series (Used By Hosts & Guests) The Ellen DeGeneres Show: Lead Free & Cadmium Free!

June 5, 2019January 13, 2020

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The Ellen DeGeneres Show Set Mug: Lead-Free, Cadmium-Free, Arsenic-Free – because of course it is! You rock Ellen! When tested with an XRF instrument, this gray and white Ellen show official set mug had the following readings: White text on outside of mug: Barium (Ba): 1,969 +/- 130 ppm Chromium (Cr): 2,924 +/- 191 ppm…