Tool Archives - Lead Safe Mama

XRF test results for saw blade with painted markings; DeWALT brand with black paint (DW 3329).

May 15, 2022May 23, 2022

Full XRF Test Results For the Saw Blade Pictured Reading #1) on the black painted markings 60-second test Lead (Pb): non-detect Cadmium (Cd): non-detect Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): non-detect Arsenic (As): non-detect Antimony (Sb): non-detect Chromium (Cr): 236 +/- 115 ppm Manganese (Mn): 9,492 +/ 460 ppm Iron (Fe): 990,200 +/ 1,500 ppm [99%]…

XRF test results for saw blade with painted markings; DeWALT brand with black paint (DW 3326).

May 15, 2022May 23, 2022

Full XRF Test Results For the Saw Blade Pictured Reading #1) on the black painted markings 60-second test Lead (Pb): non-detect Cadmium (Cd): non-detect Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): non-detect Arsenic (As): non-detect Antimony (Sb): non-detect Chromium (Cr): 533 +/- 126 ppm Manganese (Mn): 9,377 +/ 452 ppm Iron (Fe): 989,100 +/ 1,200 ppm [99%]…

XRF test results for saw blade with painted markings; ACE Hardware brand with red & black paint (#2126514).

May 15, 2022May 23, 2022

Full XRF Test Results For the Saw Blade Pictured Reading #1) on the red paint 60-second test Lead (Pb): non-detect Cadmium (Cd): non-detect Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): non-detect Arsenic (As): non-detect Chromium (Cr): 1,770 +/- 168 ppm Manganese (Mn): 6,196 +/ 392 ppm Iron (Fe): 989,900 +/ 1,500 ppm [99%] Copper (Cu): 345 +/-…

XRF test results for saw blade with painted markings; DeWALT brand with yellow and black paint (DW 3178 / DW 3578).

May 15, 2022May 23, 2022

Full XRF Test Results For the Saw Blade Pictured Reading #1) on the yellow paint 60-second test Lead (Pb): non-detect Cadmium (Cd): non-detect Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): non-detect Arsenic (As): non-detect Antimony (Sb): non-detect Chromium (Cr): 1,874 +/- 264 ppm Vanadium (V): 7,431 +/- 647 ppm Manganese (Mn): 9,339 +/ 510 ppm Iron (Fe):…

SunStar G•U•M Stimulator: Non-detect for Lead, Mercury, Arsenic & Antimony. Positive for trace Cadmium (at safe levels.)

December 17, 2021December 19, 2021

Reading #1) on orange metal handle 60-second reading Lead (Pb): non-detect Cadmium (Cd): 4 +/- 2 ppm Mercury (Hg): non-detect Bromine (Br): non-detect Chromium (Cr): non-detect Iron (Fe): 678 +/- 54 ppm Copper (Cu): 17 +/- 10 ppm Zinc (Zn): 60 +/- 7 ppm Manganese (Mn): 187 +/- 75 ppm Niobium (Nb): 60 +/- 9…

Blacksmithing tongs: Lead Free, Cadmium Free, Arsenic Free, Mercury Free!

April 14, 2020

Blacksmithing Tongs Reading 1 – 60 seconds Chromium (Cr): 9,271 +/- 929 ppm Iron (Fe): 924,100 +/- 84,000 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 353 +/- 154 ppm Reading 2 – 60 seconds Chromium (Cr): 2,977 +/- 303 ppm Iron (Fe): 995,800 +/- 2,600 ppm Some additional reading: To see more tools I have tested, click here. To…

Great Neck backsaw with decorated handle: Lead Free, Cadmium Free! [99% Iron!]

January 10, 2020January 11, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument this saw had the following readings: 1.) Metal blade of saw: Chromium (Cr): 1,961 +/- 137 ppm Copper (Cu): 1,678 +/- 364 ppm Iron (Fe): 988,600 +/- 1,800 ppm Manganese (Mn): 6,929 +/- 700 ppm 2.) Logo area on blade of saw: Chromium (Cr): 2,138 +/- 145 ppm Copper…

2019 Harbor Freight Sledgehammer with Fiberglass Handle, 1055 ppm Lead — Reminder: tools are not toys!

January 7, 2020April 28, 2023

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument, the (Harbor Freight) Pittsburgh brand sledgehammer pictured here had the following readings: Black painted metal of hammer: Barium (Ba): 39,200 +/- 3,900 ppm Bromine (Br): 242 +/- 36 ppm Tin (Sn): 169 +/- 65 ppm Zinc (Zn): 610 +/- 141 ppm Copper (Cu): 603 +/- 210 ppm Iron (Fe): 218,900 +/-…

Gray [2019 – Fred Meyer] Large Vinyl-Coated Garage Bike Storage Hook: Lead Free, Cadmium Free, Arsenic Free!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this Large square-shaped new (purchased in 2019 at Fred Meyer’s) gray vinyl-coated (“rubberized”) garage / bike storage hook pictured here had the following readings: Testing was done on the gray vinyl coated component of the hook. Barium (Ba): 154 +/- 42 ppm Bromine (Br): 7 +/- 3 ppm Tin…

Red, Newer (year/vendor unknown) Large Vinyl-Coated Garage Bike Storage Hook: Lead Free, Cadmium Free, Arsenic Free!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this Large square-shaped newer (specific year of purchase/manufacture is unknown – sorry!) red vinyl-coated (“rubberized”) garage / bike storage hook pictured here had the following readings: Testing was done on the red vinyl coated component of the hook. Barium (Ba): 295 +/- 41 ppm Bromine (Br): 9 +/- 4…

Red, Newer (year/vendor unknown) Vinyl-Coated Garage Bike Storage Hook: Lead Free, Cadmium Free, Arsenic Free!

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this newer (specific year of purchase/manufacture is unknown – sorry!) red vinyl-coated (“rubberized”) garage / bike storage hook pictured here had the following readings: Testing was done on the red vinyl coated component of the hook. Barium (Ba): 398 +/- 42 ppm Zinc (Zn): 482 +/- 31 ppm Iron…

Yellow Vinyl Coated Garage Bike Storage Hook (c. 2002, Home Depot): 4,440 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe in kids items.]

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, the yellow vinyl-coated steel garage / bike storage hook (purchased new at Home Depot in 2002) had the following readings: Yellow “rubberized” component tested Lead (Pb): 4,440 +/- 83 ppm Barium (Ba): 213 +/- 37 ppm Chromium (Cr): 903 +/- 133 ppm Bromine (Br): 18 +/- 5 ppm Zinc…

Home Depot Purchased Orange Extension Cord: 3,494 ppm Arsenic + 50 ppm Lead + 4,113 ppm Antimony

February 6, 2019

1 Comment

This orange contractor grade extension cord was purchased in a Home Depot store circa 2000. When tested with an XRF instrument this extension cord had the following readings – on the orange part of the cord – (testing done for a minimum of 60 seconds, test results are replicable). Lead (Pb): 50 +/- 14 ppm…

Corona BP 3640 Ergo-Action Bypass Hand Pruner, c. 2016: Lead Free

July 5, 2018April 26, 2020

3 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument this Corona BP 3640 Ergo-Action Bypass Hand Pruner was negative for lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) on all components. Overall this seems like a good choice/ good brand. This one is mine, that I purchased in 2016 for trimming my roses, etc. We got the…

Vintage Hammer With Green Paint & Wooden Handle: 24,600 ppm Lead in the green paint. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

June 17, 2018March 28, 2019

Vintage Hammer: 24,600 ppm lead paint (green) on the metal. [& That’s what is LEFT, given the amount of wear on this piece it is likely that the lead level on this paint was originally much much higher!] Tested with an XRF instrument in 2014. To see more tools I have tested, click here! As…

Hammer With Rubberized Grip [Purchased at Harbor Freight]: 45 ppm Lead + 174 ppm Arsenic.

June 17, 2018March 28, 2019

This hammer was tested in 2017, however I do not know the year of manufacture or vendor. My husband confirmed that he purchased these at Harbor Freight a few years ago. One thing this hammer demonstrates is that “Made In China” doesn’t necessarily translate to “high-Lead”, although I’m not too keen on Arsenic in my…

Bank of America Promotional Tool From 2012 Builder’s Tradeshow: 2,491 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

June 17, 2018March 28, 2019

Nesting mini-screwdriver / hammer set. I got this at the National Builder Show in February of 2012. The vendor gave one to each of my kids. Metal part of hammer = no lead. Screwdrivers = no lead. Rubberized handle: 2,491 ppm lead. To see more tools I have tested, click here! As always, if you…

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

April 28, 2018April 12, 2024

6 Comments

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…

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.]

April 28, 2018July 16, 2019

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…

The Home Depot Hammer Rubberized Handle: 6,156 ppm Lead + 163 ppm Cadmium [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

December 29, 2017March 28, 2019

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument the rubberized handle on this The Home Depot brand hammer had the following toxicant readings: Lead (Pb): 6,156 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 163 ppm The amount of lead that is considered toxic in a child’s toy is anything 90 ppm Lead or higher in the paint or coating and anything…

#Leaded: Vintage Tool, Pliers

December 29, 2017January 27, 2018

Vintage tool: 1,221 ppm LEAD. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in a child’s toy is anything 90 ppm lead or higher. Tools are not regulated for lead and often have very high levels of lead. Would you like to see more test results like this? Please help me rent (or eventually buy!)…

Newish Home Depot Six-Inch Adjustable Wrench 2,763 ppm Lead in the rubberized handle [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

December 29, 2017July 16, 2019

Home Depot six-inch adjustable wrench: 2.763 ppm lead (in the rubberized handle). Matchbox car included for size! The amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for use by children is anything 90 ppm lead or higher. Tools are not regulated for lead (and not considered items intended for use by children)…

Tape Measures: Contractor Grade — is your measuring tape Lead-free?

November 19, 2017November 25, 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 used…