Vintage Vinyl

XRF Test Results for Vintage 1972 Blonde Quick Curl Steffie Barbie Doll: Not Safe For Kids

August 3, 2023August 4, 2023

Published: August 3, 2023 Thursday Below are the full XRF test results for the Vintage Barbie Doll pictured. I do not know if this is an original / period vintage dress for this doll. The doll was purchased on eBay. Note: There was no warning on eBay – nor is one required – that this…

Is your Barbie safe for your kids to play with? A discussion on the concern for unsafe levels of Lead (& other toxicants) in vintage Barbie dolls

July 18, 2023September 28, 2023

10 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 by…

New #TenMinutesWithTamara video! Testing for Lead in vinyl blinds in a newer construction home (c. 1980-2000).

December 28, 2020December 28, 2020

14 Comments

In this new ten minute video I show you how you can test your vinyl blinds for Lead yourself and what you need to do to clean up the mess (and get rid of the hazard) if you find Lead in your vinyl blinds! Please let me know if you have any questions. Here’s my…

1981 Colorforms Mickey & Minnie Mouse Doctor and Nurse pre-school playset: As high as 2,300 ppm Lead (90 ppm is unsafe)

June 4, 2020January 23, 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…

1981 Colorforms Tummy Ache the Junk Food Game, hamburger piece: 11 ppm Lead (safe by all current standards… but…)

June 4, 2020January 23, 2024

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 used…

1981 Colorforms Tummy Ache the Junk Food Game, board with spinner: 29 ppm Lead (safe by all current standards… but…)

May 22, 2020January 23, 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…

Original vinyl bench for 1975 Hammond organ: 4,138 ppm Lead, 370 Arsenic, 21 Cadmium + 835 Antimony!

August 31, 2019August 31, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument the vinyl covered bench for this 1975 Hammond organ had the following readings: Brown vinyl seat of organ bench: Lead (Pb): 4,138 +/- 113 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 21 +/- 8 ppm Arsenic (As): 370 +/- 102 ppm Barium (Ba): 15,600 +/- 300 ppm Chromium (Cr): 1,117 +/- 212 Antimony…

Made in Taiwan Vintage Blue Vinyl Measuring Tape for Sewing: Lead Free, Cadmium Free, Arsenic Free, Mercury Free.

May 23, 2019January 21, 2023

1 Comment

When tested with a Niton XL3T XRF instrument in consumer goods mode this blue vinyl unbranded measuring tape (with black writing, pictured here) had the following readings: On the vinyl part of the tape: Barium (Ba): 2,050 +/- 75 ppm Zinc (Zn): 415 +/- 37 ppm Copper (Cu): 87 +/- 31 ppm Iron (Fe): 130…

Not So Old…German Dritz Blue and White Vinyl Measuring Tape for Sewing: 1,372 ppm Lead. [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

May 23, 2019April 5, 2021

When tested with a Niton XL3T XRF instrument in consumer goods mode this blue and white vinyl Dritz brand measuring tape (pictured here, marked “Germany” and “Dritz”, purchased by my friend 15 or 20 years ago, c. 2000) had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 1,372 +/- 59 ppm Barium (Ba): 2,234 +/- 82 ppm Antimony…

Vintage Red Vinyl Measuring Tape for Sewing: 4,054 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe in kids items.]

May 22, 2019July 12, 2020

2 Comments

When tested with a Niton XL3T XRF instrument in consumer goods mode this red vinyl “Made in China” vintage measuring tape (pictured here) had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 4,054 +/- 121 ppm Barium (Ba): 823 +/- 82 ppm Bromine (Br): 31 +/- 9 ppm Copper (Cu): 74 +/- 41 ppm Metals not listed were…

Singer Sewing Machines Vintage Pink Vinyl Measuring Tape: 3,783 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe in kids items.]

May 21, 2019May 21, 2019

3 Comments

When tested with a Niton XL3T XRF instrument in consumer goods mode this measuring tape (pictured here) had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 3,783 +/- 98 ppm Barium (Ba): 435 +/- 63 ppm Bromine (Br): 35 +/- 7 ppm Copper (Cu): 54 +/- 34 ppm Iron (Fe): 126 +/- 68 ppm Metals not listed were…

Thrift Store Find For Today: BW Stevenson’s 1972 Record Album “Lead Free”: 8,357 +/- 167 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe]

February 24, 2019February 24, 2019

2 Comments

Really, I don’t need to say much about this one, right? So funny that an album named “Lead Free” even exists – let alone the fact that it is positive for more than 8,000 ppm Lead! LOL (#RandomThingsTamaraFindsHysterical!) My husband bought this for me (for $1), knowing it would likely test positive for a high…

#Leaded: Vintage MatchBox Car Vinyl Case

December 29, 2017January 27, 2018

1 Comment

Vintage vinyl MatchBox car case. Made in Canada. Tested positive for as much as 310 ppm lead. In 2017 the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a modern/newly manufactured item intended for children is 90 ppm lead (or higher) in the coating or 100 ppm (or higher in) the substrate. – Would you…

1966 Peter Pan ’45 of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer: 3,777 ppm Lead

December 28, 2017December 28, 2023

1 Comment

1966 Peter Pan brand Christmas record: Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer Paper sleeve: Lead-free Vinyl record: 3,777 ppm Lead For context, the amount of Lead considered toxic in a newly manufactured item made for and intended to be used by children is 90 ppm Lead in the coating and 100 ppm Lead in the substrate….

This vintage (c. 1970) “Malibu Francie” Barbie tested positive for unsafe levels of Lead and Cadmium

December 20, 2017July 19, 2023

10 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 by…

#LeadFree: RCA Victor ’45, “It’s Easy For You To Say”

December 16, 2017

RCA Victor ’45 record. “It’s Easy For You To Say.” Year unknown (will research!) Non-detect (ND / Negative) for lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), arsenic (As), and cadmium (Cd). Tested with an XRF instrument. Thanks to the California Care Connection for donating and supporting my advocacy! Each donation helps make a new post possible! For more…

1953 Cricket Records “Jolly Tunes”: Cadmium (Cd): 192 ppm, Mercury (Hg): 22 ppm! Do you have vintage vinyl at home?

December 16, 2017February 24, 2019

1 Comment

Cricket Records ’33 record from 1953, “Jolly Time.” When tested with an XRF instrument it had the following readings. Lead (Pb): Negative (“non-detect”) Arsenic (As): Negative (“non-detect”) Cadmium (Cd): 192 +/- 15 ppm Mercury (Hg): 22 +/- 14 ppm To see more vinyl records I have tested, click here. For more #SaferChoices for your…

#Leaded: Vintage Vinyl, 1956 “Mercury” Records, Lola Dee & Rusty Draper

December 10, 2017December 28, 2017

Vintage 1956 vinyl record. 186 +/- 33 ppm lead (Pb) & 23 +/- 14 ppm cadmium (Cd). Non-Detect for Mercury (Hg) and Arsenic (As). Tested with an XRF instrument. Thanks to Bethany Gunter for donating and supporting my advocacy! Each donation helps make a new post possible! For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If…

Vintage Record Album – Kenny Baker, Christian Science Hymnal: 7,713 ppm Lead. Who has vintage records at home?

December 7, 2017February 24, 2019

1 Comment

Kenny Baker, Christian Science Hymnal. Year unknown. To see more vinyl records I have tested, click here. When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage vinyl record album had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 7,713 +/- 250 ppm Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect (ND) Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect (ND) Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect…

#Leaded: Vintage Vinyl – Roger Williams on Kapp Records

December 7, 2017December 7, 2017

Roger Williams on Kapp Records 45. Moonlight Love. Year unknown. 293 +/- 36 ppm lead (Pb). Non-Detect for Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As). Tested with an XRF instrument. For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via…

#Leaded: Vintage Vinyl – Lawrence Welk, DOT

December 7, 2017

Vintage Lawrence Welk DOT 45. 8,014 +/- 270 ppm lead (Pb). Non-Detect for Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As). Tested with an XRF instrument. For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via GoFundMe or PayPal. Thank you!…

#Leaded: Vintage Vinyl – 1979 MOTOWN

December 7, 2017December 10, 2017

1979 MOTOWN 45. 3,408 +/- 142 ppm lead (Pb). Non-Detect for Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd) and Arsenic (As). Tested with an XRF instrument. For #SaferChoices for your family, click here. If you would like to support my advocacy work (and this website) please consider making a contribution via GoFundMe or PayPal. Thank you! *Some of…

Vintage Vinyl Measuring Tape (for Sewing): 19,900 ppm Lead. [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

November 19, 2017December 29, 2021

3 Comments

Originally posted, November 19, 2017 Link to this post on Facebook (so you can share it!) Measuring Tape – Soft Plastic, Made in China. When tested with a Niton XRF instrument it was positive for Lead with the following reading: 19,900 parts per million (ppm). To learn more about XRF testing, Click Here. Later I thought…