Lead Database

c. Late-1990s (or later) Spode Christmas Tree dish: 319 ppm lead by XRF
XRF readings: Lead: 319 ppm · Cadmium: 138 ppm · Arsenic: not measured Verdict: Low-elevated, below most adult thresholds 319 ppm lead, above the 90 ppm CPSC children's item threshold but well below levels that cause obvious alarm for adult use. FluoroSpec gives the definitive surface answer: glow = reactive lead present, no glow = not in accessible form. Also: 138 ppm cadmium present. There is no safe amount of lead. This number is a starting point, not a verdict on your safety. What matters is whether the lead can... Read more...
1961 P.D. Eastman’s “Go Dog Go?”: 131 ppm lead by XRF
XRF readings: Lead: 131 ppm · Cadmium: not measured · Arsenic: 11 ppm Verdict: Low-elevated, below most adult thresholds 131 ppm lead, above the 90 ppm CPSC children's item threshold but well below levels that cause obvious alarm for adult use. For a children's item this is already over the regulatory limit. Vintage items commonly have elevated surface lead from historical glazing, this is expected context, not exceptional alarm. FluoroSpec gives the definitive surface answer: glow = reactive lead present, no glow = not in accessible form. There is no... Read more...
1960 Book Club Edition Dr. Seuss’ “One fish two fish red fish blue fish”: 100 ppm lead by XRF
XRF readings: Lead: 100 ppm · Cadmium: not measured · Arsenic: not measured Verdict: Low-elevated, below most adult thresholds 100 ppm lead, above the 90 ppm CPSC children's item threshold but well below levels that cause obvious alarm for adult use. For a children's item this is already over the regulatory limit. FluoroSpec gives the definitive surface answer: glow = reactive lead present, no glow = not in accessible form. There is no safe amount of lead. This number is a starting point, not a verdict on your safety. What... Read more...
Made in Mexico Crate & Barrel “Miguel Highball” Glass: Lead-Free (Click for my guide to buying Lead-free glassware!)
XRF readings: Lead: 90 ppm · Cadmium: 0 ppm · Arsenic: 0 ppm Verdict: Low-elevated: below most adult thresholds This Made in Mexico Crate & Barrel “Miguel Highball” Glass: Lead-Free (Click for my guide to buying Lead-free glassware!) reads 90 ppm lead, above the 90 ppm CPSC limit for children's products. Whether the lead can actually reach food depends on whether it's locked into fired glaze (typically not bioavailable) or sitting on surface paint (typically is). What this XRF reading actually means → XRF measures lead presence on the surface.... Read more...
Mikasa Palatial Platinum Cup & Saucer (Made in Thailand): 15,500 ppm Lead in the platinum edging.
XRF readings: Lead: 15500 ppm · Cadmium: 300 ppm · Arsenic: 0 ppm Verdict: Very high: avoid food contact This Mikasa Palatial Platinum Cup & Saucer (Made in Thailand): 15,500 ppm Lead in the platinum edging. tested at 15500 ppm lead, heavily contaminated. If any of the lead is on the painted surface, decoration, or worn area, expect bioavailable exposure with food contact, mouthing, or abrasion. Cadmium reads 300 ppm, which is also flagged territory. What this XRF reading actually means → XRF measures lead presence on the surface. It... Read more...
Spode Vintage “Fairy Dell” English China: 36,400 ppm lead by XRF
XRF readings: Lead: 36,400 ppm · Cadmium: 288 ppm · Arsenic: 1,400 ppm Verdict: Very high, avoid food contact 36,400 ppm lead detected. While lead in fired ceramic glaze is generally tightly bound, at this concentration leaching into acidic foods (tomato, citrus, vinegar) becomes a realistic concern even in well-fired ware. Children should not handle this item. FluoroSpec will confirm whether lead is surface-reactive. Also: 288 ppm cadmium present. There is no safe amount of lead. This number is a starting point, not a verdict on your safety. What matters... Read more...
Spode England (with woman at a well design), c. 2005-2007: 50,500 ppm lead by XRF
XRF readings: Lead: 50,500 ppm · Cadmium: not measured · Arsenic: not measured Verdict: Extreme, do not use 50,500 ppm lead, roughly 5x the CPSC 90 ppm children's limit. At this concentration, even fired ceramic glaze carries leaching risk under acidic food conditions. No food contact under any circumstances. FluoroSpec will glow. There is no safe amount of lead. This number is a starting point, not a verdict on your safety. What matters is whether the lead can actually reach a person. Think of tacks: a box of them in... Read more...
Red Waechtersbach German Nesting Bowl, Purchased at Williams Sonoma c. 2009: 40,100 ppm Lead & 3,506 ppm Cadmium.
XRF readings: Lead: 40100 ppm · Cadmium: 3506 ppm · Arsenic: 0 ppm Verdict: Very high: avoid food contact + High cadmium This Red Waechtersbach German Nesting Bowl, Purchased at Williams Sonoma c. 2009: 40,100 ppm Lead & 3,506 ppm Cadmium. tested at 40100 ppm lead, heavily contaminated. If any of the lead is on the painted surface, decoration, or worn area, expect bioavailable exposure with food contact, mouthing, or abrasion. Cadmium reads 3506 ppm, which is also flagged territory. What this XRF reading actually means → XRF measures lead... Read more...
Emile Henry Mixing Bowl, Purchased at Williams Sonoma c. 2014: 1,647 ppm Lead on the food surface.
XRF readings: Lead: 1647 ppm · Cadmium: 0 ppm · Arsenic: 0 ppm Verdict: Elevated: likely lower risk in fired ceramic, test to confirm This Emile Henry Mixing Bowl, Purchased at Williams Sonoma c. 2014: 1,647 ppm Lead on the food surface. tested at 1647 ppm lead, significantly elevated. The bioavailability question (can this lead reach a person?) depends on whether the lead is locked into a fired matrix or sitting on a painted surface. What this XRF reading actually means → XRF measures lead presence on the surface. It... Read more...
Please DO NOT give toys from YOUR CHILDHOOD to your baby to play with. This 1984 Mattel baby rattle / teether tests positive for LEAD, ARSENIC and CADMIUM.
XRF readings: Lead: data not on file · Cadmium: 36 ppm · Arsenic: 8 ppm Verdict: Lead-free per XRF This Please DO NOT give toys from YOUR CHILDHOOD to your baby to play with. This 1984 Mattel baby rattle / teether tests positive for LEAD, ARSENIC and CADMIUM. carries a Lead-free per XRF verdict in the EverythingLead dataset. Numeric XRF data is not on file for this entry. What this XRF reading actually means → XRF measures lead presence on the surface. It does not measure whether that lead can... Read more...
Royal Stafford Fine Earthenware Plate. English, from Crate & Barrel in 2006: 71,900 ppm lead by XRF
XRF readings: Lead: 71,900 ppm · Cadmium: not measured · Arsenic: not measured Verdict: Extreme, do not use 71,900 ppm lead, roughly 7x the CPSC 90 ppm children's limit. At this concentration, even fired ceramic glaze carries leaching risk under acidic food conditions. No food contact under any circumstances. FluoroSpec will glow. There is no safe amount of lead. This number is a starting point, not a verdict on your safety. What matters is whether the lead can actually reach a person. Think of tacks: a box of them in... Read more...
2021 Crate & Barrel Aspen Coupe Salad Plate Made in Indonesia: 3,843 ppm Lead in the black logo mark of the dish.
XRF readings: Lead: 3843 ppm · Cadmium: 43 ppm · Arsenic: 0 ppm Verdict: High: FluoroSpec test required This 2021 Crate & Barrel Aspen Coupe Salad Plate Made in Indonesia: 3,843 ppm Lead in the black logo mark of the dish. tested at 3843 ppm lead, significantly elevated. The bioavailability question (can this lead reach a person?) depends on whether the lead is locked into a fired matrix or sitting on a painted surface. What this XRF reading actually means → XRF measures lead presence on the surface. It does... Read more...