XRF Testing

Tiffany & Co piggy bank is positive for Lead but Tiffany’s insists it’s not a problem as it’s “not intended for use by children.”

November 29, 2019November 29, 2019

Originally written on October 4, 2018 See below for November 2019 update! A Tiffany & Co piggy bank (elephant shaped), new c. 2013, tested very high positive for Lead, but when I called Tiffany’s to ask them if they were aware of the new regulations, the company representative insisted (at the time) that this was…

1957-1969 Jewel by Lenox China – Made In USA: 146,700 ppm Lead in the glaze. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

November 28, 2019November 28, 2019

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish pictured here had the following readings: 1.) Reading in the white center / food surface of the dish: Lead (Pb): 146,700 +/- 6,600 ppm Zinc (Zn): 5,684 +/- 323 ppm Titanium (Ti): 154 +/- 73 ppm Non-Detect (Negative) for Cadmium, Arsenic, Antimony and Mercury. 2. ) Reading…

Tuscan “Fine English Bone China” – Made In England: 43,200 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

November 28, 2019November 28, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument the dish tested here had the following readings: Reading in the center / food surface of the dish – floral decorative area: Lead (Pb): 43,200 +/- 1,200 ppm Chromium (Cr): 257 +/- 111ppm Antimony (Sb): 66 +/- 30 ppm Tin (Sn): 82 +/-26 ppm Zinc (Zn): 292 +/- 45…

Colclough China “34” – Made In Longton, England: 69,700 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

November 28, 2019November 28, 2019

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish tested here had the following readings: 1.) Reading in the white center / food surface of the dish: Lead (Pb): 69,700 +/- 2,200 ppm Barium (Ba): 243 +/- 107 ppm Zinc (Zn): 80 +/- 35 ppm Iron (Fe): 1,268 +/- 241 ppm Vanadium (V): 79 +/ 39…

Royal Winton Dorset Grimwades Made in England Saucer: 57,700 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

November 27, 2019November 28, 2019

1 Comment

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish tested here had the following readings: Reading in the center / food surface of the dish: Lead (Pb): 57,700 +/- 1,800 ppm Tin (Sn): 2,393 +/- 136 ppm Iron (Fe): 973 +/- 218 ppm Vanadium (V): 76 +/ 34 ppm Titanium (Ti): 112+/- 47 ppm Non-Detect (Negative)…

Mikasa Ultima+ HK 301 Cameo Platinum: 57,500 ppm Lead in the glaze – a likely source of poisoning of a child.

November 27, 2019November 27, 2019

13 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish pictured here (a Mikasa Ultima+ HK 301 Cameo Platinum design dish – Made in Indonesia) had the following readings: 1.) Reading in the white center / food surface of the dish: Lead (Pb): 57,500 +/- 1,700 ppm Zinc (Zn): 1,155 +/- 90 ppm Iron (Fe): 915 +/-…

Unbranded china bowl: 65,600 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids. What china is on your holiday table?

November 27, 2019May 4, 2021

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish shown here had the following readings: Reading in the center / food surface of the dish – white glaze : Lead (Pb): 49,600 +/- 1,300 ppm Zinc (Zn): 180 +/- 37 ppm Iron (Fe): 524 +/- 162 ppm Vanadium (V): 123 +/ 39 ppm Titanium (Ti): 436…

Spode Copeland “Wicker Lane” pattern china Made In England: 42,500 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe for kids.

November 27, 2019November 27, 2019

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument the dish tested here had the following readings: Reading in the center / food surface of the dish – white glaze (30 second test): Lead (Pb): 36,400 +/- 900 ppm Zinc (Zn): 229 +/- 39 ppm Iron (Fe): 1.094 +/- 194 ppm Non-Detect (Negative) for Cadmium, Antimony, Arsenic and…

2003 Sealy Posturepedic Mattress (California): 91 ppm Antimony. There is no regulatory standard limiting trace Antimony in bedding.

November 25, 2019February 23, 2020

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument, this Sealy Posturepedic Afton Plush Pillowtop Queen Mattress (purchased in California c. 2003) was positive for as much as 91 +/- 25 ppm Antimony (Sb). How much Antimony is too much Antimony? I don’t believe there is a known answer to this question. To my knowledge, there is currently no…

c. 1970 Trenkle Alarm Clock (West Germany) – components as high as 22,400 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids.]

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

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When tested with an XRF instrument this vintage (c. 1965-1975) Trenkle Alarm Clock (made in West Germany) had the following readings (note: only accessible components were tested): 1.) Glass / plastic of clock face: Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-Detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): 60 +/- 8 ppm Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect…

1984 “Storytime With Victoria Plum” Hardcover Book: 10 +/ 4 ppm Lead (safe by all standards!)

November 22, 2019January 24, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument this hardcover children’s book (published in 1984) had the following readings: 1.) Reading on Exterior of Book Lead (Pb): 10 +/- 4 ppm Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect Barium (Ba): 548 +/- 149 ppm…

2019 light up unicorn bath toy. Negative for Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic & Antimony in all accessible components.

November 22, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument this little unicorn bath light up toy (link*) had the following reading: 1) Pink hair of unicorn: Lead (Pb): Non-Detect / Negative Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect / Negative Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect / Negative Arsenic (As): Non-Detect / Negative Antimony (Sb): Non-Detect / Negative Barium (Ba): 62 +/- 39 ppm Bromine…

2019 light up mermaid bath toy. Negative for Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic & Antimony in all accessible components.

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument this little mermaid bath light up toy (link*) had the following reading: 1) Pink tail of mermaid Lead (Pb): Non-Detect / Negative Mercury (Hg): Non-Detect / Negative Cadmium (Cd): Non-Detect / Negative Arsenic (As): Non-Detect / Negative Antimony (Sb): Non-Detect / Negative Barium (Ba): 118 +/- 40 ppm Bromine…

1960s Sango brand (made in Japan) child’s teacup: 2,323 ppm Lead [90 is unsafe for kids] + 292 ppm Arsenic.

November 22, 2019March 20, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument this Sango teacup (made in Japan) had the following readings: 1) Test focused on silver banding on handle: Lead (Pb): Negative / Non-Detect Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect Gold (Au): 755 +/- 64 ppm…

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…

Made in Spain – glazed ceramic garlic grater plate: 30,300 ppm Lead (90 is unsafe in items intended for children).

November 21, 2019November 22, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument this glazed ceramic “Made in Spain” garlic grating plate had the following readings: Reading #1) On the green glazed section in the center of the plate (image above): Lead (Pb): 24,400 +/- 700 ppm Barium (Ba): 1,844 +/- 136 ppm Chromium (Cr): 459 +/- 129 ppm Antimony (Sb): 99…

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):…

1982 Victoria Plum – Victoria Gives a Flying Lesson – Hardcover Book: 24 ppm Lead (safe by all standards!)

November 21, 2019January 24, 2020

When tested with an XRF instrument this hardcover children’s book (published in 1982) had the following readings: 1.) Reading on Exterior of Book Lead (Pb): 20 +/- 4 ppm Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect Zinc (Zn): 234 +/- 13 ppm …

1982 Victoria Plum – Victoria and the Sparkling Web – Hardcover Book: 16 ppm Lead (safe by all standards!)

November 21, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument this hardcover children’s book (published in 1982) had the following readings: 1.) Reading on Exterior of Book Lead (Pb): 16 +/- 4 ppm Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect Barium (Ba): 225 +/- 130 ppm…

1982 Victoria Plum – Victoria and the Prickly Hedgehog – Hardcover Book: 18 ppm Lead (safe by all standards!)

November 21, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument this hardcover children’s book (published in 1982) had the following readings: 1.) Reading 1 on Exterior of Book Lead (Pb): 15 +/- 4 ppm Mercury (Hg): Negative / Non-Detect Cadmium (Cd): Negative / Non-Detect Arsenic (As): Negative / Non-Detect Antimony (Sb): Negative / Non-Detect Barium (Ba): 240 +/- 124…

Mikasa Platinum Matrix AN060 Design (Made in Indonesia) Bone China Dish: 56 ppm Lead. Safe by all standards.

November 21, 2019November 21, 2019

When tested with an XRF instrument, this Mikasa “Platinum Matrix” design bone china plate (pictured here) had the following readings: White stripes on food surface of dish: Barium (Ba): 135 +/- 48 ppm Tin (Sn): 57 +/- 16 ppm Zinc (Zn): 1,286 +/- 83 ppm Iron (Fe): 1,744 +/- 213 ppm Bismuth (Bi): 36 +/-…

Royal Heritage Fine China mug for Harry & Meghan’s May 19, 2018 wedding: 28,800 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe.

November 20, 2019May 3, 2021

I’m always looking for a way to possibly draw the attention of the Royal Family to the issue of childhood Lead poisoning. After all – they have babies AND they live in old Lead painted houses [and I would wager that if I were invited to their home to do a Healthy Home Consultation, I would…

2019 Sweese brand “Eco-Friendly” & “Lead-Free” ceramic mug: 29 ppm Lead. Note: This is Lead-SAFE by all standards.

November 19, 2019March 26, 2021

14 Comments

This company (Sweese) is obviously doing an excellent job trying to create a completely Lead-free product… however the ceramic mug pictured here (a new mug purchased in 2019 from Sweese) simply is not Lead-FREE. I would classify this as “low-lead“, “almost ‘Lead-free’” , or even “Lead-SAFE” — and accordingly, instead of imprinting the bottom of the mug…

1963 Style House Contessa Fine China Made in Japan: 7,700 ppm Lead in decorative elements (90 ppm is unsafe for kids.)

November 19, 2019March 20, 2020

2 Comments

When tested with an XRF instrument this “Made in Japan” Style House dish (Contessa pattern) from 1963 had the following readings. Decorative elements on food surface of dish ( images above): Lead (Pb): 7,700 +/- 170 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 16 +/- 7 ppm Chromium (Cr): 2,604 +/- 116 ppm Zinc (Zn): 1,119 +/- 64 ppm…