Mother’s Day 2017, Note From Avi – Age 12-1/2
5/13/2017 This is Avi’s “Mother’s Day” note for me today! He wrote it in his yoga class yesterday morning! For those of you without a very young child [or a brain-injured 12-year-old] in your life, an English “translation” follows. I share this with you for 1,000,001 reasons, but mostly to show you where he is with writing,…
Publishers? Agents?
Hi All! I’m creating this blog post more for me (as a reminder) than for you, but I thought some of you might appreciate the information I have found so far and others might be able to chime in with some new/ different / better ideas… so I am “putting it out there!” As many…
Dear Nicki….
In response to Nicki Minaj’s offer to help with tuition for straight A students!… Dear Nicki (and anyone else who might be interested!), My son is 14 years old and is getting straight A’s in college. Yup, you heard that right! [His current GPA is 3.83.] He started college last quarter (Winter 2017) and is now…
The first 10 “1 in 3” necklaces for sale on Ebay!
In response to so many of my friends suggesting I sell the “1 in 3” necklaces that my husband made for me… suggestions to do this both so others can have one and also as a way to help raise funds for my advocacy work… I bought the components to make ten of these necklaces…
My necklace post from May 6, 2012!
Click here to read more about the necklaces. Click here to read more about A.J.! One in three children (people under the age of 18) in America today have had an unsafe level of lead* in their blood in their lifetime. That is approximately 22,000,000 children. *Specifically approximately one in three children in America…
Every Spring the City of Portland, Oregon water bill includes a warning notice about Lead in the water (a notice that no one ever seems to read.)
Published May 5, 2017 Updated: February 28, 2022 [Scroll to bottom for the Rubin Family current [February 2022] water bill.] Below are FOUR of my actual water bills from the City of Portland (colors and circles and arrows added by me for emphasis!). The first one is from when I originally published this post in May…
LeadCheck Swabs, My Amazon Affiliate Link
IF you are going to buy LeadCheck Swabs anyway (and I highly recommend them!, don’t believe the industry folks that tell you they are not effective… they are just trying to take the power to test out of the hands of the consumer!), please consider using this link, which is my Amazon Affiliate link, to…
My “Question” for Tonight… KATU #PPSBOND Meeting
I’m writing this out as a bit of a script for myself, but also – in case I completely bumble things in front of the camera – so folks can know what I MEANT to say! If you would like to support my advocacy work here’s the link to my GoFundMe. Thank you! My “Question”…
Vintage Lenox Charleston Pattern China Teacup: 85,000 ppm Lead [90 ppm is unsafe for kids.]
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
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
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!
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
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.]
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.
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
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
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
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…
Undying Gratitude! #GoFundMe
I wanted to take this moment to thank all of the friends (and total strangers!) who have contributed to the GoFundMe in support of my advocacy – helping families everywhere protect their children from lead exposure – and supporting those dealing with the aftermath of lead poisoning – in a world with so many – preventable – hazards, and so much work left…
Top Ten Posts in April
Below are the top ten most popular posts on my blog this month; April 2017. Click on any of the images to see the original post. As of 8:30 on 4/29 this blog has had 25,524 unique views this month! Also, here’s the link to contribute in support of my blog and my independent advocacy work via GoFundMe if you…
Vintage Glazed Ceramic Fondue Pot: 255,700 ppm Lead on the interior glaze!!!! Vintage Fondue pots should never be used for food use purposes.
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.)
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…
Made In Mexico Blue Glazed Ceramic Dish: 51,608 ppm Lead + 31,350 ppm Arsenic + more than 100,000 ppm Mercury.
When tested with an XRF instrument this Mexican glazed ceramic bowl – with bird design on the inside had the following readings on the food-surface of the bowl: Lead (Pb): 51,608 ppm Mercury (Hg): >100,000 ppm (greater than 10% Mercury in the glaze) Arsenic (As): 31,350 ppm Takeaway: PLEASE avoid all Mexican pottery (especially for food use…
Yellow Ceramic Target Home Bowl
Yellow Glzed Ceramic Cereal Bowl: LEAD FREE! Tested with an XRF (tested “non-detect” for lead) Target “Home” • Dishwasher Safe, Microwave Safe, Made in China. For More Safer Choices For Your Family Click Here!