XRF Testing

#FidgetSpinnerTesting: Heavy Machined Brass with Plastic Colorful Bands

June 4, 2017April 27, 2018

Material: Primarily Machined Leaded Brass with Plastic Colorful Accents- Manufacturer: Unknown / Not Confirmed – Purchased at: Unknown / Online? – Price: $31.99 (based on other internet listings.) Purchase Date: May 2017 (?) – Purchase State: Oregon – Color: Yellow Brass with Red, Yellow and Blue Plastic – Sent in By: Mama in Oregon – Test Results: Lead: 42,800…

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#FidgetSpinnerTesting: Cammo Green Plastic from HobbyTown

June 4, 2017June 4, 2017

This is the very first spinner I ever tested (or touched for that matter!, lol!) – end-of-May 2017. Material: Primarily Hard Plastic – Manufacturer: Unknown / Not Confirmed – Purchased at: HobbyTown – Purchase Date: May 19, 2017 (?) – Purchase State: Oklahoma – Color: Green / Cammo – Sent in By: Johna in Oklahoma…

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#FidgetSpinnerArticle #4, WILL KILL YOUR CHILD

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Not to take away from the serious issue of having found lead in a child’s toy (this is a real problem and it shouldn’t be happening)… but… we are laughing so hard we are practically wetting our pants over here reading the increasingly dramatic headlines on these articles about the work Carissa and I did last…

#FidgetSpinner | #FidgetSpinners | Fidget Article | XRF Testing | XRFTesting

#FidgetSpinnerArticle #3: HORRIFYING

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Not to take away from the serious issue of having found lead in a child’s toy (this is a real problem and it shouldn’t be happening)… but… we are laughing so hard we are practically wetting our pants over here reading the increasingly dramatic headlines on these articles about the work Carissa and I did last…

#FidgetSpinner | #FidgetSpinners | Fidget Article | XRF Testing | XRFTesting

#FidgetSpinnerArticle #2: DEADLY

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Not to take away from the serious issue of having found lead in a child’s toy (this is a real problem and it shouldn’t be happening)… but… we are laughing so hard we are practically wetting our pants over here reading the increasingly dramatic headlines on these articles about the work Carissa and I did last…

#FidgetSpinner | #FidgetSpinners | Fidget Article | XRF Testing | XRFTesting

#FidgetSpinnerArticle #1: DANGEROUS

June 3, 2017June 3, 2017

Not to take away from the serious issue of having found lead in a child’s toy (this is a real problem and it shouldn’t be happening)… but… we are laughing so hard we are practically wetting our pants over here reading the increasingly dramatic headlines on these articles about the work Carissa and I did last…

More Leaded Fidget Spinners! Episode 3 (Video)

May 29, 2017June 20, 2017

19 Comments

This $31.00 “fidget spinner” tested positive for lead at 42,800 ppm! It also tested positive with a LeadCheck swab (meaning the lead can easily rub off on the fingers of the user.) The hazard level for lead in an item intended for children is 90 ppm lead. The video below shows 6 fidgets and spinners I…

A Whole Lotta Lead In Fidget Spinners! Episode 2 (Video)

May 29, 2017June 20, 2017

26 Comments

Please watch this video… I took apart a fidget spinner (one with L.E.D. flashing lights) and tested all the pieces in a couple of different ways… and found both high levels of lead and high levels of mercury! The lead level was as much as 19,000+ ppm lead, and the mercury level in the base…

The First Three Fidget Spinners…. Episode 1 (Video!)

May 27, 2017June 20, 2017

4 Comments

So!… I made an announcement to my friends on Facebook that I wanted to use an XRF instrument to test some examples of the current hottest-toy-on-the-market – “fidget spinners” – for lead. My friend Johna in Oklahoma was so lovely to send me a handful of them and I tested them as soon as my…

You tested my soil, what do the results mean? How do I interpret the data? Is my soil safe?

May 27, 2017April 27, 2020

2 Comments

Click here to read my post about soil testing. You may hear “experts” say that all soil has some amount of lead in it today, in the post-industrial revolution modern era. This is simply not true. I have personally tested countless soil samples from around the country that were completely negative (non-detect / ND) for lead,…

Soil Testing Using an XRF: Send Lead Safe Mama soil samples to have them tested for Lead.

May 25, 2017February 19, 2024

1 Comment

Originally posted: May 25, 2017 Updated: January 1, 2024 PLEASE NOTE: We currently have a 6 to 8 week turn around for reporting soil sample test results (for soil samples sent in by readers) in most cases. We may have urgent testing available (for a higher fee, see below) but this is not always the…

Pura Kiki Insulated Baby Bottle: the most egregious example of a “green-branded” bottle with unsafe levels of Lead.

May 14, 2017June 11, 2019

27 Comments

Please read this entire post. Maybe by the end of it you will be as outraged as I have been by the actions of this company. – Thank you. Original post title: Pura Kiki Follow Up #SurprisedNotSurprised. To see more posts about the issues with this product and this company, click here. Highlights of the…

Vintage Lenox Charleston Pattern China Teacup: 85,000 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]

April 30, 2017March 18, 2019

12 Comments

Vintage Lenox Charleston Pattern China Teacup: 85,000 ppm Lead. Most people assume that vintage china like this (made by a well known, “reputable” brand name) is safe to eat off of. This is simply not true. Most vintage Lenox china I have tested has been positive for high levels of lead. [Some of the newer Lenox…

Vintage Noritake Rosedawn China Saucer (Made in Japan): 933 ppm Lead

April 30, 2017May 29, 2021

29 Comments

Noritake China Saucer: 933 ppm lead (+/- 86 ppm), ND (non-detect) for Hg (mercury), As (arsenic0 & Cd (cadmium)! Most vintage Noritake china I have tested has been positive for high levels of lead. Tamara’s Grade: “F” “F” = I would not want to use it in my home, I would (politely) refuse to eat food that…

Vintage Milk Glass Saucer

April 30, 2017

Vintage Milk Glass Saucer with Gold Rim: 648 ppm lead (+/- 43 ppm), 9 ppm Cadmium (+/- 6 ppm). Read about #CadmiumConcerns here. Tamara’s Grade: “D” “D” = I would not want to use it in my home, I would prefer not to eat food that you served on it in your home. If you offered me…

Vintage Clear Ball Brand Canning Jar: 46 ppm Lead + Cadmium. Please read this post for more information!

April 30, 2017December 25, 2018

6 Comments

Here’s another one (I probably have about a dozen or more posts up for Ball jars right now, please check them all out!) Related: To see more clear glass items I have tested, click here. When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage clear Ball jar with glass lid was positive for 46 ppm Lead,…

Pier 1 Plate With Stars

April 30, 2017February 15, 2020

Small Pier 1 Decorative Saucer with Stars: 85 ppm lead (+/- 15 ppm). [The stars were positive for 3,615 ppm gold!] Tamara’s Grade: “C” “C” = I would not want to use it in my home. If you offered me something to eat on this when I am visiting you, I would be fine with that….

1972 Handmade Christmas Mug / Teacup: 90,900 ppm Lead + 9,617 ppm Cadmium Too! [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]

April 30, 2017May 25, 2019

Vintage Handmade Christmas Mug from 1972: 90,900 ppm Lead (Pb). 9,617 ppm Cadmium (Cd). Read about #CadmiumConcerns here. For Context: the amount of lead that is considered toxic in a newly manufactured item intended for children is anything 90 ppm or higher in the paint, glaze or coating. Vintage dishes are not regulated. This Christmas cup…

Blue Ball brand canning jar: 53 ppm Lead + 13 ppm Cadmium (safe by all standards.) I avoid the tinted jars.

April 30, 2017December 18, 2019

4 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument (for a 31 second test – as noted in the photo above) this blue-tinted Ball brand canning jar had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 53 +/- 13 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 13 +/- 6 ppm You can read more about #CadmiumConcerns here. Tamara’s Grade: “C” C = I would not…

Blue Glass Pyrex Custard Dish

April 30, 2017December 28, 2023

4 Comments

Blue Glass Pyrex Custard Dish: Lead-Free! (“Non-Detect for Lead!”) Tamara’s Grade: “A+” An A+ means I would definitely have these and use these in my home. (In fact, I have the same exact ones in clear glass!) If you appreciate our advocacy work, please consider donating even just $5 via the Lead Safe Mama, LLC #GoFundMe! Check…

Newer Blue Ball Jar

April 30, 2017

4 Comments

Newer Blue Glass Ball Jar: 61 ppm lead (+/- 16 ppm). Considered safe by all standards. Tamara’s Grade: “C” C = I would not want to use it in my home, I would not want to eat food that you canned in it in your home. If you offered me something to drink in this…

1996 Piano

April 30, 2017January 27, 2018

9 Comments

My piano! The finish was negative for lead. The vinyl of the seat was positive at 292 ppm lead. Vintage pianos are often very high lead. I have not tested many newer ones, but if this is any indication newer ones may have lead free finishes! For those new to my site: 90 ppm (and…

Vintage Glazed Ceramic Fondue Pot: 255,700 ppm Lead on the interior glaze!!!! Vintage Fondue pots should never be used for food use purposes.

April 28, 2017August 18, 2021

Published: April 28, 2017 Updated: August 18, 2021 Vintage Ceramic Fondue Pot: Interior cream colored glaze 255,700 ppm Lead !!!!! Bare unglazed ceramic (on base of pot) was 38 ppm Lead. Black exterior: 62,400 ppm Lead. Not safe for food use! (How much Lead is too much Lead?) Given the usage and age of this…

Vintage Metal Fondue Pot with Orange and Cream Colored Enamel: 15,300 ppm Cadmium (a known carcinogen.)

April 28, 2017August 18, 2021

1 Comment

Published: April 28, 2017 Updated: August 18, 2021 Enamel Fondue Pot: 15,300 ppm Cadmium. How much Cadmium is too much Cadmium? In the State of Washington there is a limit of 40 ppm Cadmium for cookware and dishes that may be used by children. This is the strictest Cadmium regulatory standard that I am aware…