Franciscan Desert Rose Earthenware China — c. 1941, Made in USA: 122,200 ppm Lead! (90 ppm is unsafe in kids’ items)
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…
Franciscan Ware Potteries (c. 1948) Franciscan Ivy Pattern Serving Tray: 304,000 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe]
This is a Franciscan Potteries vintage “Ivy” pattern serving tray that I got at the Good Will Bins a while back (to add to my “Museum of Lead” collection!) The interesting thing about glazes (especially on pieces that are handmade or hand-painted) is that the levels of lead can vary significantly across the surface of…
Modern Homer Laughlin China Fiestaware Christmas Tree Mug, Made In USA: 23 +/- 12 ppm Lead (Safe by all standards)
When tested with an XRF instrument the Christmas tree on this Homer Laughlin Fiestaware “Made In The U.S.A”. mug was non-detect (ND) for Lead (Pb). The Christmas tree area did test positive for cadmium (Cd) at 61 +/- 9 ppm. The bottom of mug was also had the following XRF readings: Lead (Pb): 23 +/- 12…
Vintage Spode Christmas Tree Plate, Made In England: 71,900 ppm Lead [90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.]
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…
Maybe Grandma can Keep her Vintage Faux Pearls?: 295,900 ppm Lead (90 & up is unsafe in items kids use)
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…
Made In Mexico Ceramic Glazed Bowl Marked “Lead Free”: Positive for more than 300,000 ppm Lead [that’s 30%!]
Mexican pottery bowl purchased new c. 2007. Marked “Lead Free.” This bowl tested positive for more than 300,000 ppm Lead in the glaze when tested with an XRF instrument. Most of the Mexican pottery that I have tested that has been labeled “Lead Free” has tested positive for at least 1,000 ppm lead. This piece was unique,…
A study of potential exposure to environmental lead resulting from porcelain enameled bathtubs
I had shared this link back in 2015, but the link is now dead and I cannot seem to find the original study anywhere. If you have time to help me look for it, please do and let me know what you find. I would be happy to repost a full PDF of the study…
#Leaded: Art Project Tile from Portland Public Parks
Art my youngest son Charlie did a few years ago. Tile for this art project provided by Portland Parks (through their summer activity program). 895 ppm lead. Tested with an XRF & Posted, 3/17/2016. The amount of lead that is considered toxic in an item intended for children is anything 90 ppm or higher in the coating…
Tom & Jerry Vintage Milk Glass Christmas Mug: 37,100 ppm Lead + 943 ppm Cadmium (90 Lead + 40 Cadmium is unsafe for kids)
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)…
Vintage Libbey High Ball Christmas Glass: 60,600 ppm Lead + 2,940 ppm Cadmium
To see more Christmas items I have tested, Click HERE. I purchased this glass in an antique store to add to my “museum of lead” collection and to feature in my upcoming book on lead in household goods. It tested positive for Lead both with a LeadCheck swab (see video) and with an XRF instrument….
Anchor Hocking Cornflower Pattern Vintage Milk Glass Casserole: 18,600 ppm Lead + 137 ppm Cadmium.
This Anchor Hocking milk glass casserole was positive for Lead when tested with an XRF instrument. The blue flowers had the following readings: Lead (Pb): 18,600 +/- 400 ppm Cadmium (Cd): 137 +/- 13 ppm The flowers were non-detect for mercury (Hg) and arsenic (As.) The plain white of the milk glass on this piece…
Testing Vintage Glassware (Pyrex, Libbey, Anchor Hocking) With A LeadCheck Swab (Video)
Spring Blossom Green Posts Anchor Hocking Cornflower Casserole Post Chip In Link My affiliate link* for LeadCheck swabs: https://amzn.to/2HJLB4N If you purchase something on Amazon after clicking one of my affiliate links I receive a small percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my advocacy work in this…
#Leaded: Vintage Art Deco Ceramic Tile In a San Francisco Middle School Auditorium
This tile was in a San Francisco, California middle school auditorium that I did a presentation at in 2013. It tested positive for lead at 9,391 ppm when tested with an XRF instrument. To see more posts with tile I have tested, click here. To read more about the concern for lead in tile, click…
#LowLead: Kitchen Counter Tile, White Ceramic
Kitchen Counter Tiles – “recent” remodel (pre-2007). Tested with a Niton XRF in 2012: 113 ppm lead. These are the tiles in my home, my kitchen counter. To see more tiles I have tested click here.
Demolition of ceramic tile can poison kids. The tiles pictured (c. 1992) tested for 43,900 ppm Lead. [90 is unsafe].
Below is a re-post of a post I originally shared on Facebook on December 16, 2014. Note: for newly manufactured consumer goods the amount of Lead that is considered unsafe (and illegal) in an item intend for use by children is anything 90 ppm Lead (or higher) in the paint, glaze or coating. This came…
#Leaded: Small Vintage Cut Crystal Goblet / Shot Glass
This small vintage cut crystal goblet was positive for lead at 22,200 +/- 700 ppm when tested with an XRF instrument. There is no mark or maker information available for this piece, although I did confirm that it is vintage. Most leaded crystal is positive for lead at levels closer to 300,000 ppm so this…
#AskTamara: What Does A Snack Look Like At Your House?
I grabbed this post from Facebook, originally posted January 5, 2018. My social media followers like to me to share some simple vignettes from my life. There are critics who are CERTAIN I can’t possibly have a lead-free / lead-safe home (they insist I must have some lead in my home!) so I especially like…
#Leaded: Vintage Fisher Price Motor Boat Toy (c. 1970?)
Vintage Fisher Price Motor Boat Toy. Tested with an XRF instrument: Green Plastic Arsenic (As): 113 +/- 23 ppm Yellow Plastic Cadmium (Cd): 1992 +/- 41 ppm White Plastic Lead (Pb): 148 +/- 11 ppm Most plastic vintage Fisher Price toys are positive for some level of lead, cadmium or arsenic. There is no place…
#LeadSafe: Rae Dunn Artisan Collection by Magenta, “Dreamer” Bowl
Rae Dunn Artisan Collection by Magenta – “Dreamer” Bowl: 47 +/- 24 ppm lead. Tested with an XRF instrument . This level of lead is considered safe by all standards. The bowl was also negative (non-detect/ND) for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). To see more Rae Dunn items that I have tested please click…
#LeadSafe: Rae Dunn Artisan Collection By Magenta – “Be Well” Bowl, Marshall’s
2018 Rae Dunn Artisan Collection by Magenta “Be Well” Bowl: 56 +/- 24 ppm lead (Pb). Purchased at Marshall’s. Tested with an XRF instrument. This level of lead is considered safe by all standards. The bowl was also non-detect (ND) for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), and mercury (Hg). To see more Rae Dunn items that I have…
#LowLead: Rae Dunn Artisan Collection by Magenta – “Sugar” Container, 2018
2018 Rae Dunn “Sugar” container: Tested with an XRF instrument. Outside: 156 +/- 26 ppm lead (Pb) Inside: 181 +/- 47 ppm lead (Pb) Non-detect for cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg). – This is a very low level of lead for a modern ceramic item. That said, I choose lead-free items for my…
Vintage Pyrex Honeydew Summer Impressions Custard Cup: 4,949 ppm Lead, 97 ppm Cadmium. 90 ppm Lead is unsafe for kids.
Vintage Pyrex Honeydew Summer Impressions Milk GlassCustard Cup: The green paint on this small bowl tested positive for the following elements at the following levels (with a one-minute test, using an XRF instrument): Lead: 4,949 +/- 221 ppm Cadmium: 97 +/- 14 ppm Arsenic: ND Mercury: ND Gold: ND Platinum: 1,045 +/- 222 ppm…
Thank you, Peter Coyote! (Video)
Published: June 8, 2018 As many of you know, I am working hard to prepare my family Honey farm (in Napa) for sale.Since I have my hands full with my disabled children and my advocacy and since my stepfather is 75 years old and has been working too hard for too many years (and has…
Do you let your kids ride vintage amusement park rides? I don’t. Train Town-Sonoma, CA: 94,900 ppm Lead. 90 ppm is unsafe.
Published: June 18, 2018 Updated: August 7, 2022 While I have known about the potential for lead in vintage amusement park rides for a long time, I haven’t spent a lot of time quantifying these potential hazards. The vintage train ride pictured here (a coin operated ride active in 2018 at Sonoma California’s famous “Train…