We live in an old brick tutor built-in 1929. We have the “desirable” leaded glass windows. They are beautiful but have high levels of lead. I would have never bought this house if we knew and already had a child.
I never even thought about the windows being toxic when we bought our house. I just thought they were really pretty. I stress about our windows on an almost daily basis and have had my son’s lead level’s checked 3 times in his 2 1/2 year life. Each time the reading has been below 1.
After we tested, we found out that some areas of our windows are 50% lead and creating lead dust on the window sill he likes to sit. Lead is scary stuff and not to be messed around with.
We also have lead paint on the outside of our house (lucky for us we only have trim that’s painted since we are in a brick house). Pretty much every old house has lead paint on the outside. Ours is pealing, I’m too afraid to address it so I’ve put a thick primer over our outside deck to try and seal it in. No scraping or trying to make things look pretty which is not recommended when young children live in a house with lead paint. We will fix the paint when we move (which will be soon).
We tested a lot of things but I’ll just post things that will apply to most people. I’m guessing it’s not that exciting to see what the readings on my walls, outside, and windows were to anyone other than my family 🙂
90 ppm lead is considered safe for children by our government. Keep this number in mind when you are going through these things.
Everything listed below was tested with a Niton XRF analyzer.
This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.
Toys:
- My Grimm’s toys tested clean, no lead or other heavy metals.
- All my Plan Toys tested clean EXCEPT 1 blue excavator which had 22 ppm lead in the blue paint.
- My Ostheimer figures tested clean with no heavy metals.
- I did a small random sampling of wooden Etsy toys that were finished with beeswax and organic oil but with no paint, all were clean with no heavy metals.
- Wooden doll stroller from Nova Naturals. I had this tested because linseed oil can contain heavy metals. I drilled the company before buying this and even talked to the manufacturer of the linseed oil. I was told no heavy metals… and they were right. There was no lead of any other heavy metals in the doll stroller.
- That’s what my toys consist of so I didn’t test anything else except 2 beach sets. Glueckskaefer wooden and painted metal beach set and gardening tools came up clean. Spielstabil (owned by Haba) plastic beach set tested clean. Green Toys came up clean too.
Bikes, trikes, and ride on toys:
- Kettler trike (made in Germany): Everything on the trike came up with no heavy metals except the tires. They tested at 299 ppm lead.
- Used / old Radio Flyer wood scooter with red rubber-type handles probably from the early 90’s. The red handles had 358 ppm lead. Everything else on the ride on tested for no heavy metals.
- Used Radio Flyer wood ride in car from the late 90’s or early 2000’s. Everything tested negative for heavy metals.
- Kettler (made in Germany) scooter didn’t have any heavy metals. I bought this one used. Ketter no longer makes any of their scooters in Germany, they are all made in China now.
- Ride in pedal fire truck. This was handed down to us but I wasn’t 100% comfortable with it knowing it was made in China. No heavy metals were found.
- Wooden balance bike (Pedobike) made in Germany. No heavy metals.
Baby Stuff:
- Baby Bjorn Baby Sitter chair – clear of any heavy metals
- Chicco car seat – no lead or other heavy metals
Shoes:
- Soft Star shoes came up with no lead or other heavy metals – yay!
- Bobux, claiming to be non-toxic and use no lead – uppers tested clean and the soles on both pairs we have tested between 130 & 155 ppm lead. I tested the Bobux Step Up shoes and it was the rubber soles that tested for lead not the leather. At first we thought maybe my son had walked through lead dust (which could be possible) but then we tested the soles of his Soft Star shoes and there was no lead. It’s Bobux not dust.
- We bought used Western Chief rubber boots for my son. The mom I bought them from said she bought them 3 years ago (so they are 4 years old). I knew Western Chief was made in China but they use natural rubber vs synthetic so I thought they would be safe – wrong! Boots were 1,600 ppm lead and the soles were 3,481 ppm lead. Never buy used rain boots. As it turns out, they have had a lot of recalls in the past few years on rubber boots.
- My husband’s Nike Frees tested free of any heavy metals. That doesn’t mean they are non-toxic though. Nike’s clothes use toxic chemicals, and I’ve been questioning these shoes.
- My converse tested clean (owned by Nike).
- My Aigile rubber boots – the uppers were clean and the soles had a lead level of 92ppm. I bought Aigile boots because I thought, and they claim, to be made in Europe in addition to being non-toxic. After wearing them a few times I noticed a Made in China stamp. I was so mad, called the company and they said only a very few are made in China – right!
- I went out and bought some shoes to test. These companies claim to be non-toxic and lead free. They are all made in China which is the one thing I try and avoid. However there are very few companies that don’t make shoes in China (one of which being Soft Star). Umi and BOGS are owned by the same company who said that they randomly test their shoes once a month to make sure they are heavy metal free. They promised no lead. The other is Keen who says they are non-toxic as well. Obviously these were just testing for heavy metals not other toxic materials used to make shoes like formaldehyde or chromium in leather.
- BOGS tested positive for lead 209-222 ppm lead. So very disappointing!
- Umi tested clean (canvas shoe).
- Keens both pairs tested clean (a canvas and leather shoe).
Strollers:
Both the BOB and the Mountain Buggy tested clear for lead or other heavy metals.
Antiques:
I love antiques, I love the history, I love not going out and buying new furniture and I love the look. It turns out most antiques have lead (and I’m talking about non-painted, wood furniture) but of course not all. We have a non-painted wood secretary that tested for 324 ppm lead. I was so surprised. Whatever used to be used to do a clear finish on wood contained some lead. Putting another finish on antiques would seal that in and make it safe. Separately we tested the non-painted wood trim in our house (which was built in 1929) and it had low levels of lead – around 51 ppm.
Things with cords:
Cords can, and do, contain lead because of PVC used. I had a few things that used cords tested.
- My first thought was our Dyson vacuum. I mean the cord gets dragged all around the house. The Dyson cord tested for no heavy metals. I was really happy!
- Our air purifiers have cords that my son sometimes touches. Both our Austin Air and our IQ Air tested for no heavy metals in the cords or the unit itself.
Other items:
- We have two bedside lamps we bought at Pottery Barn. The base had lead levels of 915 ppm and the shade had no heavy metals.
- We have a bride and groom rubber duck (random, I know). The groom had no heavy metals and the bride have levels between 1,053 and 1,101 of lead on her.
- My husband has an old post hole digger from his dad in our garage. It has 10,000 ppm of lead in the red paint (that is chipping off).
- Kate Spade leather / fake leather (not sure what it is actually made of) purse had 67 ppm lead.
Kitchen:
- Crockpot had a lead level of 56ppm.
- We bought a salsa bowl when we were in Mexico and it had a lead level of 11,300 ppm. Lesson learned don’t buy pottery from Mexico. Tomatoes are so acidic that for sure lead was leaching out of them!
- We bought several pieces of pottery when we were in Costa Rica and no heavy metals were found – yay!
- Le Creuset
- We have a very large blue soup pot that tested for no heavy metals on the inside and 63ppm of cadmium on the outside.
- Red cast iron roasting dish with 12,800 cadmium on the outside.
- Blue roasting dish – no lead, trace amounts of cadmium on outside.
- Blue pot (smaller than the first one above) with no heavy metals.
- Red loaf pan – 100 ppm lead on inside, 29,000 ppm cadmium on the red outside, 153 ppm lead on the bottom. Really disappointing. The lead on the inside and cadmium on the outside is a double negative for this loaf pan.
- My lesson is that red generally contains cadmium which is a toxic heavy metal. Opt for other colors. Everything blue tested for no or very low cadmium.
- Emilie Henry red ceramic loaf pan – 417 ppm lead on inside, 495 ppm cadmium on the red outside, 342 ppm barium. I was disappointed that there is lead inside this loaf pan.
- OXO brand ice cream scoop, metal, about 5-7 years old. The flat scoop part had 944 ppm of lead – yikes!
- Lenox China – no lead (yay!) but some small amounts of barium.
- Denby dishware, pattern called white trace – no heavy metals.
- Stainless lemon squeezer – no heavy metals.
- Crate & Barrel white asparagus plate – 18,200 ppm of lead.
- Ice cream maker – 76 ppm lead.
- Ridel wine glasses – 300,000 ppm of lead!!! That’s 30% lead and no these are not leaded crystal. These were $20 per glass. You better drink your wine like a shot out of these glasses to avoid the acidic wine sitting in a leaded glass for too long 🙂
- Vintage blue glass mason jar – the jar had no heavy metals but the vintage lid had 861 ppm lead and 1,537 ppm cadmium.
- Weck glass canning jars – 142ppm of lead. This made me really sad. We moved over to Weck after learning that Ball Mason jar lids had BPA in them. At that time they didn’t have the non-BPA lids available. For whatever it’s worth, the talk is that the BPA alternatives aren’t good either but it’s the better of the these two options.
- Anchor Hocking glassware (glasses, bowls, plates) no heavy metals.
That’s my list! I learned a lot and some were very surprising to me. I am going to be making some changes in my future purchases.
Interested In More Lead Testing Results? Check Out My Other Lead Testing Results Page!
Also check out my Amazon Storefront with vetted non-toxic living items.
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thank you for sharing!!! Which plan toys were tested and clear? I have bought quite a few and was really disappointed to hear that one of yours tested positive for lead in the blue paint. I wonder about what I have now. I know 22 ppm isn’t a whole lot but something my kids potentially put in their mouths should have absolutely no lead at all!!
I agree! The link to the toy that did test for lead is below, it was in the light blue. All the other toys and colors I had tested were fine. Tamera was really surprised that this one came up positive because she has tested a lot of Plan Toys and they have always been fine. Plan Toys stance is that they don’t use lead but lead is in our environment (including dirt) and that there is no way to control it 100%. My thought is why use that blue that tested for lead when they have other blues that don’t. Here is the link http://usa.plantoys.com/product/mini-excavator/.
Thanks for all the info. I just contacted Le Creuset and was told some products are actually made in China, Specifically any stoneware, mugs, etc. Possibly the loaf pan that tested positive? Your post has made me second guess all of my ( what I thought ) healthy choices. How do you test for lead in your home? I know they have over the counter kits but I read these are not reliable. There really needs to be a reform in the chemicals used in this country.
Are you at all familiar with how ikea toys test or melissa and doug? My daughter has an ikea easel, table (which I’m hoping to replace with a safer option anyway), and a set of doug and melissa blocks. These were all gifted to us. These are the only toys I worry about. Good to know Grimms is safe. I wondered about their pants.
I don’t trust Melissa & Doug at all. They have had lead paint scares in the past. I don’t know how they test now. I personally avoid them. It goes back to not trusting kids toys made in China. Are Ikea toys made in China? I know their dishes test fine but I have no idea about their toys.
Thanks for sharing-the good and the bad! I just bought two pairs of Bobux for my son, so that was a big bummer to read. We love Soft Star shoes, but wanted something with a little more of a sturdier sole. We have Le Creuset enameled pots too. Are you going to continue using the ones with heavy metals only on the outside? I am at a total loss as to what bike to get my son. He is almost two and I want to get him a tricycle. I would have leaned towards getting a Kettler because they aren’t made in China, but now I have no idea. Do you feel more empowered getting all of these things tested, or just discouraged? Are you tossing everything that had lead or cadmium in it? Please keep us updated on your son’s lead levels and thanks again for posting!
I know, I was really bummed about the Bobux – plus they aren’t cheap! I hear you about wanting a studier sole, I ended up keeping the canvas / vegan / eco friendly line of the Keens shoe. I hate that it’s made in China but there was no lead, it’s natural rubber, no toxic glues, etc.
I feel fine about the Kettler trike. Everything on the trike tested fine except the tires and he’s not licking, eating or really touching the tires. We use the trike only outside. I still think it’s the safest option. Kettler told me that their tires come from China even if it’s made in Germany. I found out because I ordered a wagon made in Canada from them but the tires smelled so awful. I called customer service about it (after letting it air out for weeks) and she said well that’s because the tires are from China. I didn’t even ask anything at that point. I thought it was funny she mentioned it. I ended up returning the wagon. Anyways, I bought a used Kettler trike, tires had off gassed, and everything he is touching is safe.
I have no idea about the Le Crueset. I’m trying to just use the ones that tested fine and most likely I’ll find a replacement for my red ones. It’s really super disappointing. I need to call and talk to them about my findings.
I personally like knowing, some of the items were shocking but I’m so glad I know so I don’t use them anymore. I felt like the things my son had access to had limited positive results and that made me feel better. Minus the shoes. The rubber boots made my heart drop. I spent so much time trying to find safe shoes so it was disappointing to have that many shoes test positive. It’s just really hard to wade through all this crap. I am no longer using the stuff in my kitchen that tested positive for lead. I took the excavator out of circulation, I’m removing our bed side lamps, and returned the bogs and am not letting him wear the Bobux. I know things can’t be 100% but when I know something has lead in it I can’t continue to let him use it.
I feel your frustrations completely. My heart dropped for you as well about the boots- it feels like a constant uphill battle sometimes. I would like to contact Bobux about my concerns regarding the lead in their soles. Were you planning on contacting them? I want to talk to them about Tamara’s findings but don’t want to somehow put you (or her) in the middle or possibly burden you in someway if they want to get in touch with you or even just know where I got the information from. What do you think is the best way to go about it?
Thank you again for sharing your experiences, input, and knowledge.
I have emailed Bobux. I had emailed with them before buying the shoes and have in writing from them that they use NO lead (in addition to other chemicals I asked about). I have responded to the email I have from early this year telling them about my findings. I’ll keep you posted 🙂 You are more than welcome to email them too but I think I might be able to get further with them initially since I own the shoes. Once I hear back from them then I think people emailing them to let them know it’s not acceptable would be a great thing. Let me know what you decide to do.
I should have also mentioned that they are being very responsive at this point, and we have emailed back and forth multiple times, but I don’t have any answers yet.
I will wait to contact them until I hear the results of your conversation. Just keep us posted! I am glad to hear they are at least being initially responsive to you. Can’t wait to hear what they say/what they decide to do.
Any update from Bobux?
They have emailed several times, right now it is with corporate in New Zealand. I think they are going to be doing some testing. I will keep you posted.
Also, it was on the step up shoes in the rubber. No lead was found on the leather itself.
Thanks for keeping us updated. We have two pairs of i-walk shoes, so I imagine that the same rubber is used on both the step-up and i-walk shoes :/
I am so shocked that your Emile Henry loaf pan had lead in it. They are supposed to be lead free and in fact the company has on there web page that “There is no lead or cadmium in our products, all of the glazes meet California Prop 65, and all of the products are 100% food safe. Offered in a large variety of colors, the glazes will not craze, discolor or fade over time.”
I started to detox my kitchen in June and specifically purchased their loaf pans since they were supposedly lead free. I am so upset right now that they lied! I will be contacting them. Could you tell how old the pan is and where you purchased it? I purchased mine from amazon and williams sonoma.
Thank!
I bought it within the last year. It was from a local kitchen shop here in Seattle. I plan on contacting them to see what they have to say. I’m trying not to overwhelm myself by contacting all the companies (and the emailing back and forth that goes with it) all at once.
Thanks for the info. I will let you know what I find out from them
Thank you for posting!!!
Thank you for this helpful info! We are buying some secondhand wood furniture, like rocking chair and highchair. Is a beeswax finish enough to cover up any lead on antique wood furniture?
Tamera said yes but with beeswax you need to apply more often (every several years per Tamera). I will say the toys we have with a beeswax finish don’t seem to be wearing down at all so maybe even a little longer than that.
Naturalbabymama,
Thank you for posting the test results!
A couple of questions 🙂 In re to the bobux shoes, did you test the soft leather sole shoes or the “step-up”kind with the rigit outsole? Was the lead detected on the outsole or on the insole of the shoe?
Also, where can one get the Pedobike?
And finally, have you looked into Stonz natural rubber rain bootz? -http://www.stonzwear.com/STORE/Shop-All/Toddler/Rain_Bootz/Department.aspx?DeptID=94
According to their website:
“…Why are your Rain Bootz made of Natural Rubber?
We chose natural rubber because we believe in keeping toxins away from our little customers. Our rubber is harvested from rubber trees in Thailand, and is stirred and stretched by hand to keep the process as natural as possible. Our Rain Bootz don’t off-gas and they are safe for the bare skin of small hands and feet.
Beyond the safety and environmental reasons for choosing natural rubber, we also find it is more comfortable than plastic boots. It is more flexible and has more energy return for underfoot cushioning. These qualities make natural rubber better for developing feet that want full a range of motion without sacrificing protection from the hard ground.
Do your Rain Bootz contain toxins like lead?
Nope! Our Rain Bootz are PVC-free, Lead-free, Pthalate-free, and formaldehyde-free…”
Thank you again!
Hi! You are welcome 🙂 For the Bobux shoes the lead was testing in rubber soles of the Step Up shoe. I will update that on my post – thanks for bringing it up. The leather tested fine.
Yes, I came across the Stonz Rain boots and now own several pairs. I talked to different people at the company and I felt like this was the best option for rain boots (even though they are made in China). They test the raw materials, each batch, before they are made. I really liked that. I hoping to see Tamera again and am going to have her test these boots just to make sure 🙂
You can order the Pedobike here http://www.woodenbike.us/. I didn’t get the seat cover because it is made on vinyl.
Hello,
This is all so disheartening. Why can’t everyone have ethics. Why can’t every product sold to the consumer be safe?! Disgusting.
I was just wondering what safe brands you use in your kitchen now? (Utensils, silverware, plates, pots/pans, knives, cookie sheets, pizza pans, muffin sheets, etc…basically everything you make and serve food with/on)
This is not just regarding lead, but what non-toxic/organic area rugs do you use? My kids still put everything in their mouths, so I would like something safe and have not found anything comfortable for kids to play on that is safe…
Thank you very much!
It is totally disheartening. I really think because so many things are made overseas there is a lack of control.
So for my kitchen we use a lot of what we have had. I’m limiting our Le Crueset use. Our utensils are stainless, we are using Anchor Hocking clear glass dishes but they are breaking / chipping in the dishwasher. We need to figure out a plan with our dishes. Our pots & pan are stainless and tested fine. I have a stone muffin pan that I got on amazon that is made in the usa and lead free. I also have a stone pizza pan that is the same as above. We don’t make cookies often but I was thinking of just baking them on my stone pizza pan or trying to use a pyrex glass baking dish. Who knows if either will work.
Under the Nile makes organic, GOTS certified rugs. The big one would be a good play mat but not really area rug size. We have two area rugs but not in our main playing area. I just pulled up the rug and it’s just hardwoods.
Searching non toxic area rugs is on my list of things to do. I’ve looked at several but I really like to dig deep which I haven’t done yet. Here are a couple of sites that claim to be non toxic but I haven’t done any research on http://www.naturalarearugs.com/eco_friendly.php, https://www.organicandhealthy.com/carpet.html or http://www.earthweave.com/index.html
We have the glass moderno line from crate and barrel for our dishes. Anchor may make them. I’m not certain. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/search?query=moderno
I have been researching truly lead free dishes for a while now to replace my Aspen white dinnerware set that I purchased at Crate and Barrel. When I become aware of the possibility of lead in my dinnerware I contacted Crate and Barrel to find out if my dishes were lead free. They told me that they are not 100% lead free but they do meet California’s standards. When I asked how much lead was in their dinnerware, I never got a response. Without knowing what the lead content of my dinnerware was I have been trying to find dinnerware that was truly lead free and not clear glass. I also wanted the dinnerware to NOT be made in China since I do not trust that it would be lead free. Here is what I have found out so far.
– Apilco and Pilluvuyt, (manufactured in France) are supposed to be lead and cadmium-free. Williams Sonoma sells them and has stated that they test all of their dinnerware, glassware and other items used for serving food to ensure that they meet FDA and California Proposition 65 requirements for lead and cadmium.
– Corelle is made of glass in the US and is lead free. However this glass is under tension and instead of breaking it explodes. Something I was not willing to have around my LO.
– Denby (England) claims “No lead or cadmium is used during the manufacturing process of any Denby product.” However, Denby’s products are now manufactured in China are have been crossed off my list.
– Emile Henry (manufactured in France) states that “there is no lead or cadmium in our products, all of the glazes meet California Prop 65, and all of the products are 100% food safe.” Obviously not true since your Emile Henry tested high in lead! Another company crossed off my list.
– Hartstone Pottery (USA) states “all body, glaze and paint raw materials are lead and cadmium free.”
– HF Coors, states that their dinnerware is lead- and cadmium-free. However when you watch the video of how they make there dinnerware on their website, they mention that aluminum is added. I don’t want aluminum in my dishes either, so they got crossed off my list.
– Homer Laughlin China Company’s new Fiesta does not contain cadmium or lead, and is manufactured in the USA.
– Newer Ikea 365 has been testing lead free or with very little lead according to Lead Safe America. Unfortunately these dishes are made in China, so I crossed Ikea off my list.
– Target sells lead free dishes known as 10 Strawberry Street. Again these dishes are also made in China, so I crossed them off my list.
My conclusion is that several manufacturers may state that their dinnerware is made without lead, but that may not be true. So I will be trying to find out more information on Apilco, Pilluvuyt, Hartstone Pottery and Homer Laughlin. I’m hoping one of these options will produce a dinnerware set that will truly be lead-free.
Received the following email from fiesta today:
Cadmium Statement
The Homer Laughlin China Company knowingly uses encapsulated cadmium containing pigments to create some of the vitrified Fiesta Glazes. While the existence of cadmium can be detected using X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis (XRF), XRF is not an approved test method to determine the leachability of cadmium in ceramic dinnerware. XRF does indicate what metals are present in the sample. There is no threshold value (ppm) for cadmium by any state or federal agency for ceramic dinnerware using XRF.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration and California Proposition 65 use a specific test method with threshold values (ppm) to determine the leachability of cadmium using an acidic solution to leach the metal from the food use side of the dinnerware.
The Homer Laughlin China Company regularly utilizes testing laboratories to determine the cadmium leachability of the new glaze colors and checks existing glaze colors to verify compliance with the requirements of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and California Proposition 65. The Homer Laughlin China Company is in full compliance with the cadmium leachability requirements for ceramic dinnerware required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and California Proposition 65.
Coyuchi also sells organic rugs, some of them GOTS certified:
http://www.coyuchi.com/organic-bath/accent-rugs.html
Good to know! Thanks for sharing. I’ve only bought sheets from them 🙂
I should have also added to my previous comment we drink out of mason jars or anchor hocking glass mugs. Our silverware isn’t stainless (like I said) it’s silver plated, we registered for it when we got married. We use wooden spoons for cooking. If I’m missing anything let me know but we keep it pretty simple 🙂
I love your post! I am learning so much! Were any of the anchor Hocking items that you own (that tested safe) happen to be the blue glass ones? I am concerned about the blue glass versus the clear. Do you know if the blue glass Anchor Hocking is safe? Thank you! Suzanne
Thank you for sharing your findings!
Are the Ball Mason jars lead free?
I have a Le Cruset cast iron pot, white inside and red outside. You had mentioned that red has high level of cadmium. How about the white interior of the cast iron pot? Is it safe to use it since the red color is outside? It’s so disappointing to hear that we wasted so much money. I also have a blue color cast iron pot and a black color cast iron. Both have white interior. Wondering if these are safe?
Yes the white interiors are fine. The skillets have black interiors. We don’t use our red LC much anymore. We have one cast iron that my husband uses to bake in sometimes otherwise we transitioned over to other colors.
The ball mason jars are lead free.
So just to clarify about the Le Creuset, are you saying that other than the red, you have found the other colors to be fine? And the skillets with the black interiors are okay? I believe they state that the interiors of their cookware are all free of lead and cadmium, and I’ve assumed this is related to all interiors. What about the Staub brand of enameled cast iron?
No, not all the colors are fine. I’ve updated a pots & pans post to include Le Creuset https://naturalbabymama.com/your-home/non-toxic-pots-pans/
Did the glass on the mason jars test positive for lead or the tops? I use Bell Mason Jars made in the USA (they say BPA free) to store my breast milk in. I put a baggie over the top while it sits in the fridge. I guess I will have to order more lifefactory bottles 🙁
No, not the glass. This was also a vintage mason jar and it was the vintage lid (probably at least 60 years old). I would totally store breastmilk in a mason jar!
Do you have any suggestions for cookware (pots and pans, steamers,etc) ? I’ve been looking at the Williams Sonoma collections that are made in the USA for pots and pans AND I found liberty tabletop makes flatware in the USA.
https://www.libertytabletop.com/?gclid=CjwKEAiAhIejBRCKm_fTxIWyyXcSJABXY0XYfJ7xwaIjB6yLladrgOpEmprf9aLE942qJ6XwT09lDBoCbSXw_wcB
That’s a great find for silverware! We use stainless pots & pans that we got when we were married. We also have a stainless steamer. When we were married I didn’t pay attention to where things were made. Most stainless (cooking stuff and water bottles) come out of China. As long as it’s high quality it’s fine 18-10 or 18-8.
Fyi, Tamara tested our Liberty Tabletop flatware and it was free of lead but high in cadmium 🙁
Good to know!
Thank you for even more help!
I just found USA Pan company. They make stainless steel cookware and bakeware and it’s all made in the USA. It does have an aluminum core, but it will never leech into your food, because the stainless steel is so thick. SO, no need to go through a made-in-china company for stainless steel anymore! Is Silicone safe to bake with? They make all of their bakeware with silicone…an immunologist that a friend knows said that it’s perfectly fine, but I want to know other opinions as well.
Unfortunately, I have had trouble finding nice-looking, SOFT and organic/non-toxic area rugs that are inexpensive as well as meet my room decor. I will look at the websites you recommended, thank you.
Have any of you heard any good/bad things about Lenox dishware and flatware? Someone who is also anti-chemicals/lead recommended that brand, as well as Luminarc Santa Fe Glass Glass Dinner Plates…it’s SO frustrating that glass can contain lead…that’s the only thing (other than stainless) that I thought was safe to put food/beverages in.
I forgot to ask this question, too. With cotton being the dirtiest crop out there (due to the amount of hazardous pesticides used in it), do you limit what mainstream pj’s and cartoon-character clothing your children wear? I find it nearly impossible to do so. Do you think any of the color dye chemicals as well as the pesticides, etc, leech into your skin, even after washing it with safe detergent, etc???
My Lenox china tested fine – no heavy metals. I hear you about glass, so frustrating!
I absolutely do limit that clothing. A lot of mainstream pj’s contain flame retardants so I only buy organic pj’s (well clothes for that matter) and on the PJs there is a big yellow tag that says not flame resistant must wear snug fitting. Besides cotton being a dirty crop, dyes are so bad. So many chemicals. I only buy GOTS certified clothings or organic Oeko-Tek (which isn’t as strict) for my son. It’s hard to find those things as adults. Here is my post on clothing and brands I like http://naturalbabymama.wordpress.com/2014/06/01/organic-clothing-for-kids/
Hanna Anderson has some organic pajama’s at Nordstrom for older kids (2T and up) which has characters such as batman, superman, star wars. There organic clothing eventually goes 33%, 40% and 50% off. If you put a price watch on them or check back occasionally you can get them much cheaper than they are listed now. I think the link below should filter to the pajamas otherwise search organic and hanna anderson
http://shop.nordstrom.com/sr?origin=keywordsearch&contextualcategoryid=2375500&keyword=organic#keyword=organic&type=keyword&page=1&category=s6000015&defaultsize3=&size=&width=&color=&price=&brand=6694&stores=&instoreavailability=false&lastfilter=brand&sizeFinderId=0&resultsmode=&segmentId=0&keywordSortEngine=Default&partial=1&pagesize=100&modifiedkeyword=organic%20andnot%20(sunglasses%20or%20chanel%20or%20swing%20or%20aram%20or%20228567%20or%20bittar%20or%20stylename%3Aexplosion)&contextualsortcategoryid=2375500&shopperSegment=1-0-2%7C2U2%3ARS
and I meant their organic clothing.. lol
Yes, I love Hanna organic PJs. They are on my clothing list 🙂 You can find sales like Alison said. Hanna runs sales often too and if you are near an outlet check out what they have there.
I use cookware from Salad Master. It’s stainless steel and made in the USA. They have everything from pots and pans to cookie sheets. They are pricey, but I am really happy with them.
Did you test any stuffed toys? I want to buy some organic stuffed toys but there aren’t that many options.
Under the Nile and at Pure Play Kids they have some organic options.
Love the post and all the great info that you and Lead Safe America share!
Any recommendations on a safe tricycle? Also I purchased a Melissa and Doug shopping cart… the cart is made of steel and the handle is a red plastic. I read in the comments that they had lead paint scares! Was this in their painted wooden toys or colored plastic?
I’m not sure if you’re still looking for plates but Tamera did a test on her Corning plates and all was good. We use white Corning dinnerware and Anchor Hocking bowls and plates.
The only bike type thing I’ve seen Tamera report testing on is Kazam (no lead!) http://www.kazambikes.com/. We just bought one on Craigslist for our 2yr old but it appears she’s still a little young to use it : )
I am also curious about the Melissa and Doug shopping cart. Do you have any info on its safety?
Also, do you know about Fiesta dinnerware? Everything I read says post 1986 products are safe. Truth? Thanks!
I am so surprised and sad about the weck jars! I was hoping to use them for storing breastmilk since the mason jars have BPA in the lids and I just don’t trust them anymore even after they say they are no longer have BPA in their lids. Did you get rid of your weck jars? I didn’t realize glass can have lead….
Which brand of crockpot did you test?
was your weck testing done on the glass itself…or the rubber bands?
weck claims they are lead-free. aren’t these made in germany?
cheers and thanks!
Sorry for not seeing this sooner. Weck testing was done on the glass itself. I don’t believe they say they are lead free, they say they are below a certain level. I’ve now tested Weck jars 3 different times and all have had very similar lead levels.
hi! just wondering if you know anything about or have test le parfait jars? they are similar to weck jars. does anyone know anything about these preserving jars? thanks!
http://www.leparfait.com/
So sorry for not responding in 2015! I didn’t even see these comments sitting here in my old web hosting system. Anyways, I JUST tested my Le Parfait and it did have lead. You can read about it here https://naturalbabymama.com/toxins/testing-my-stuff-for-lead-part-3/
How did you test for these heavy metals? Could you point me in the right direction, because i want to do what you have done in your home! Im a mum of three girls and am pregnant with our fourth daughter. I’m desperately trying to find out what could be in my house that is loaded with heavy metals.
Please help me!
Sorry for the delay, I’m just now seeing your comment. You can hire someone with an XRF to come out and test your house. Google XRF lead testing and your area. Do you live in an old home, is that your concern?
Can you please share the make/model of your crock pot since it didn’t seem to be too bad and can you also share your Lenox China dishware set? I was certain that I would just go with Anchor Hocking or Libbey clear glass but I am now learning that clear glass is very temperature sensitive and has been reported to spontaneous explode and can cause major injury. I was just on another bloggers website where I read about not one but three readers complain about how this happened to them and almost took one’s eye out and the other said she burned her arm pretty badly. So I’m thinking clear glass might be ok for cold drink and cool foods but not necessarily anything that’s hot. I’ve also read about this new soda lime glass can even explode in you dishwasher! Did Tamara ever test the HLC Fiesta dinnerware? They claim to be lead free but I don’t know if I believe that! And do you have a link for your Denby set tested negative…I can’t find it online? Did Tamara also look for aluminum oxide because that can be found in dinnerware and glassware as well? So what mason jars do you use now, any more info on that would be appreciated as well. Thank You!
So what’s a safe brand of flatware?
I haven’t personally tested but I’ve heard IKEA is a safe place to buy flatware.
I’ve just created a closed Facebook group as a way the Natural Baby Mama community can discuss non-toxic items. Whether you are wanting to know what car seat to buy, questioning non-toxic baby items or items for you or your home, this is will be a great resource and open line of communication. Please like the Natural Baby Mama Facebook page and join the closed group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/223493848003000/?hc_location=ufi.
I’m looking forward to interacting with you more in the closed group!
Hi! I live in an old victorian and have an 8 month old daughter. I used to think all the original tiles on the fireplace were gorgeous, and now I think they likely contain lead! Of course, all the paint chipped from the walls also freaks me out. I’m hiring someone to come in and test our house for lead and heavy metals but am also a little freaked out by the XRF Analyzer used. The lead tester said that it omits what is equal to a dental x-ray. I plan to be out of the house with my daughter but am still a little worried that it could leave radiation in the objects tested? Do you have any thoughts on this? I’m guessing getting tested is the lesser of two evils.
I wasn’t concerned about having the XRF used. It is focused in such a concentrated area. I didn’t have my kids there but I was there taking lots of notes.
I just stumbled upon your blog today in search of best glass alternatives. It very time consuming to get away from known pestilence like plastic
and heavy metal. I know from personal experience how much energy it can take to live an optimal lifestyle, so I have nothing but respect for you. I
thought I would share this with you http://ecojarz.com/products/12-pack-reusable-stainless-steel-jar-lids/ since most lids contain some kind of petroleum
derived liner. As I do question everything, I do also wonder about silicone do you have anything about silicone that one should be on the look out for?
How exactly did you test for all the metals. I would like to know a low cost effective way of testing for such things.
I love Eco Jarz, we’ve used them for years. You can get test swabs that test for lead cheap but they only test at 600ppm or above. Otherwise there isn’t really a cheap way to test sadly. For silicone I just wouldn’t bake on it otherwise I think it’s fine. If you can avoid made in china i would.
I recently discovered some silicone products made by Lekue. They seem to have a higher quality of silicone. Have you checked it out? What do you think? They have a waffle shaped thing that bakes waffles in the oven, which I’d really like to try. I read a decription of their silicone making process, and it seems more “pure” than some of the others.
Sorry that I am just seeing your comments. I generally don’t use silicone. I just recently started using silicone straws for my kids but I’m feeling kind iffy about that.
Hi, i am interested if you got any response from bobux.my daughters wear this brand and i thought it is safe.thanks a lot for your answer.
Nina
Yes, I did. They said it was probably something my son walked on. However, both of their shoes tested the same and we had other shoes that tested with no lead. I didn’t buy it. They didn’t seem too interested in talking further once they deemed it was me not them. We don’t buy them anymore.
Hi, I was wondering if you could test (if you can get your hands on) an office chair made of faux/immitation leather, and an outdoor chair made of fabric that is probably coated with something.
Cheers
Everything I have tested I have paid for to have a professional come out and test. I don’t own an XRF – sorry.
Is it possible to rent a XRF tester or have a professional come put to do the test? Would a professional just do the house structure, like walls, etc. or would they also do household items, like toys, dishes, etc? Any idea how much this would cost?
Yes, that is what I have done. Google XRF lead testing and your area. Each area is different for price but it’s not inexpensive. I did it the first time because I lived in an old house. My most recent testing was focused on consumer goods for this blog which you can read here https://naturalbabymama.com/toxins/testing-my-stuff-for-lead-part-3/
I’ve read that Mexican ceramic pottery contains high levels of lead. My husband and I travel to Mexico often and we have brought back probably about 10 pieces for our home. We have a one year old so now I am freaking out. We have some of it hung on the wall (even in the baby’s room), some are pots we are plants sitting in on the floor, and some decorative pieces we have sitting on shelves (one piece also in our baby’s room). We never eat or drink or store food in these, but are they safe to even have in the house, especially with a one year old? Does lead get into the air just with the fact that these pieces are in the room? What if our baby touches them, but doesnt put them in his mouth?
I am so overwhelmed!
Yes it can and does contain high lead! So I didn’t keep our mexican pottery that tested high for lead. I would definitely remove it from his room. I wouldn’t let him touch it. If the lead can leach out it could get in the dust. I would buy the 3M Lead test swabs and test yourself – here is a link http://amzn.to/2kNpByi. If they are up on a shelf just make sure that they can’t fall and break. That would create lead dust and would be a hassle to clean up.
Did you end up getting any accessories for your pedo-bike like the kickstand and/or the brake? Is the bike itself pretty heavy? How much do your kids use it?
I didn’t get any accessories. I’ve heard it’s hard to come by the bike now. My son uses it daily but now he is getting a little big for it. I don’t think it’s too heavy at all.
I’m a bit late to this party, but I’m looking for the safest jars to make herbal tinctures using alcohol (151 proof). The Ball jars have some kind of BPA (or replacement plastic which may be worse) in the lids, so I’m using Weck instead — but now learning about the lead. These are stored in the cupboard (herbs in high-proof alcohol) for several weeks with daily shaking. So I’m not sure what is suitable, maybe the Anchor Hocking jars (although I’m always concerned about the rubber gaskets)? Any thoughts?
You can get stainless steel lids for mason jars – check Eco Jarz. I would look at doing that. Ball mason jars are some of the safest but yes you are correct they have a BPA substitute in them.
I may have missed someone else asking (I scrolled through all the comment though 😀 ), but I’m curious about the wine glasses. HOW did they test for such a high lead-level?!? What kind of glass is it made of??
Here’s the glasses I’m referring to, from your post:
‘Ridel wine glasses – 300,000 ppm of lead!!! That’s 30% lead and no these are not leaded crystal. These were $20 per glass. Ridel also sells more expensive wine glasses and the lead content is similar per Tamera. Tamera said that lead leaches out of the glass at this level within an hour. You better drink your wine like a shot out of these glasses 🙂’
I wrote this years ago, thanks for commenting about it. That was right after my first testing and I’ve learned a lot since then. These wine glasses are made of crystal, they don’t look like your typical leaded crystal wine glasses though!
This is really interesting and I’m glad I stumbled upon your website. I was wondering, where can you get a product to test the amount of lead in your items? I see disposable tests, but they don’t indicate the level of lead, just that there is lead.
Hi, I use an XRF which is an instrument that detects the amount of lead. You are correct about the swabs. The downside is the XRF is expensive to rent so it’s not as easy as a swab is to test things.
Where do you get your items tested? We have riedel glasses and I want to double check this out and test ours. Because they are not all lead containing. It depends the type.
I have had access to an XRF including renting it personally.
Wondering which trike you tested? Please and thank you!
It was a Kettler Trike, or do you mean which Kettler?