Is my old china safe to use? (toxic, plastic, buy)
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I have some old china that has been in my family my whole life. I still love it but fear it may have lead paint issues. Do you think it is safe to use? I have also heard that even now china plates and glassware made in China or Mexico and sold here in the US may still contain lead. What type of plates and glassware are safe to eat and drink from?
Last edited by vanguardisle; 10-28-2014 at 11:14 AM..
It goes on to say the "safe" dishes are manufactured by Denby, Hartstone, and Homer Laughlin Fiestaware.
Thank you for the article. I think it would be difficult to do a leach test on all of my china . I guess the lead does not ever go awayor get better over time like the outgasing of chemicals on plastics do ? It would be nice if it did but I know it does not.
I would hate to get rid of all that pretty china I have inherited over this issue. I really just do not know for sure if it is safe. They mention two types of tests one to see how much lead is in the china the other to see how much leaches out of it into your food.The first test machine costs $30,000 the other is done by a lab its just too hard to do all that for my stuff. I really think the only option is to just be safe rather than sorry. Assuming the companies mention really are as safe as they claim I should just go with them .
I guess that brings me to another question. Does old furniture contain lead in the paint and varnish? No matter what though I will not be getting rid of my beautiful inherited furnishings lol.
Lead test is available at hardware stores. About $24. You crack the ampule and rub the tip on your concerns. It will instantly turn shades of pink if lead is present. Use on all concerns before the color change. Finally, validate the test by dabbing on an old circuit board, bullet, or fishing line sinker and it should turn bright pink.
Don't worry about the furniture. Encapsulation works excellent for contamination control, ie. repaint.
Another area to watch for lead is the window sill. Not from the paint, but the plastic blinds. Vinyl is formed with lead compounds. When it deteriorates in the sun, it leaves lead dust.
Old china, if it is china, is generally safe. But somebody mentioned Fiestaware, which is not china, but soft glaze pottery, which is something else entirely.
No need to get rid of dishes you love unless have a reason to suspect they're dangerous, specifically. First, figure out what you have from the marks on the backside. Go online to research your specific brand or brands. See what you can find there, because there has been a tremendous amount of research on the topic.
And if you test your dishes, you don't need to test each and every dish of a particular brand and pattern, just test a couple pieces as representatives of the whole.
Thanks for all the advice. I did buy one of those capsule things for the walls of my home. I guess it is safe to repaint the furniture but what if you want to sand and refinish?
You know maybe we should just eat off of glass plates ? I have seen many pretty ones sold but even then I guess there is a risk of lead depending on where it was made ?
Another question those iron covered pots called la crueset are they safe to use? I have some in very good condition I have never used yet they were in storage but what happens if they get a chip or scratch? They can rust of leach iron into your food?
If you want to refinish old furniture that has lead based paint, don't sand it, strip it and dispose of the stripped paint properly. Then you can refinish as you like.
Thanks for all the advice. I did buy one of those capsule things for the walls of my home. I guess it is safe to repaint the furniture but what if you want to sand and refinish?
You know maybe we should just eat off of glass plates ? I have seen many pretty ones sold but even then I guess there is a risk of lead depending on where it was made ?
Another question those iron covered pots called la crueset are they safe to use? I have some in very good condition I have never used yet they were in storage but what happens if they get a chip or scratch? They can rust of leach iron into your food?
Le Creuset are cast iron with a porcelain glaze, made in France, entirely safe to use. And as a cook, I'll say they are great to cook with. Even the unlined ordinary American cast iron are safe, like Lodge. The tiny amounts of iron you might uptake from cooking in them are harmless. But stay away from cast iron from China, which have been made from scrap metal that can be contaminated with lead or other metals.
Another area to watch for lead is the window sill. Not from the paint, but the plastic blinds. Vinyl is formed with lead compounds. When it deteriorates in the sun, it leaves lead dust.
PS This is true for imported mini-blinds, not for domestic manufacture or standard blinds.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Year2525
If you want to refinish old furniture that has lead based paint, don't sand it, strip it and dispose of the stripped paint properly. Then you can refinish as you like.
Better yet, take it to a Furniture Stripper. They are set up to remove toxic paints... no fuss, no worries.
Part of the enjoyment about refinishing old furniture is doing it yourself. Anyone who does it already handles the cleanup, it's part of the experience. The disposal is very simple, easy and safe. I've done it often.
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