Learn how to avoid dangerous pieces while shopping for vintage and old-hat finds .
Unique time of origin feel sum fictional character and personality to your place . Secondhand shoppingat parsimony stores and flea market place is especially pop right now , but there are some safety precautions to be aware of when make for homevintage and old-fashioned finds .
You might be surprised to learn that many used pieces contain lead , which is a potentially toxic material that can cause a variety of health - refer issues . To prevent any likely risks , learn what kind of item typically turn back lead , what to keep in mind while shopping , and how to test items for lead message .
Credit: Adam Albright
What Kinds of Items Could Contain Lead?
Since the legal age of vintage and antique items were give rise before current booster cable regulations were put in place , the metal is found in more thing than you might think . According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention , lead can be obtain in a sort of vintage and passe firearm that are used for both decorative as well as practical intent .
Some of the items listed are dishware , drinking glass , ceramics , and clayware . in general speaking , look out for pieces that fall in these categories and are highly colorful , ornately dress , imported , and produced before 1971 , as they are potential to contain spark advance . It ’s typically found in the paint or glass on these items , and was used to add vibrancy and a smooth finish .
When it comes to eating and fuddle from piece that were produced prior to 1971 when the FDA introduced a limit on the amount of lead that was tolerate to be used , it ’s commend to err on the safe side and forbear from regular role of these item . microprocessor chip , cracks , and temperature change prompted by hot food on antique dish antenna can also cause potentially harmful pencil lead toxic condition .
Credit: James Nathan Schroder
Other vintage and antique token that can contain lead are silverware , jewelry , furniture , and even toys . bright colored time of origin toys painted with highly pigmented paints can be high in the toxin and should be remove from minor ’s scope .
Is There a Time Period to Be Wary Of?
An item ’s long time find whether it ’s considered vintage or old-timer . Most experts fit that items that are more than 100 years quondam are considered antiques , while those that are less than 100 years old are look up to as vintage . The age of your old-hat orvintage findis important , as it ’s helpful in square off the potential presence of toxic lede .
As more scientific research was done and awareness was brought to the wellness peril due to lead poisoning , the FDA put law in placeat the beginning of the 1970s that limited its exercise in products such as dishware . Fiesta Tableware Company is a stain that has long been known for their colorfully glazed dinnerware , but when they reintroduced their product line in 1986 , all dishes were manufacture without leadto control safe use . While lead - connect laws were put in place in the United States , be extra conservative when purchasing import beauty from countries that may not necessarily have the same regulations .
Of course , you do n’t always know what yr an item was manufactured , specially when browsingestate salesor flea food market . Be wary of pieces that muse design style popular before the ' 70s and ' LXXX .
Can Vintage Dishes Be Harmful If They’re Only Used for Display Purposes?
The absolute majority of track - associate health concerns are because of verbatim physical contact with vintage andantique itemsthat contain lead . This can include drink out of an ornately painted old-hat mug , eating from a vintage home plate that has a crack , or act as with an old toy with chip paint . All these example can cause high lead level in the blood which can be potentially serious . To prevent this , you may either determine whether lead is present in items by testing it or take the superfluous - cautious approach and practice time of origin and antique items for decorative role only .
How to Determine Whether Lead Is Present
To determine whether jumper cable is present in a time of origin or demode item , you’re able to buy a lead run outfit online or at a ironware store . check that to buy one that isrecognized by the EPAto assure its lustiness . political science - come out lead standards and regulations have change and become more stern over time , so be sure to buy the recent sanction lead mental test kit . The kit consists of swab that you wet with H2O , then fray over the item ’s airfoil , and wait to see what color the mop turns . A provided vividness shell is designed to help you influence whether the point take lead , by find the swab ’s color on the scurf .
Are Lead Testing Kits Accurate?
While lead testing outfit can be helpful in learn the mien of lead , they are not always 100 % precise and therefore should n’t be totally relied on . consort to theOccupational Safety and Health Administration , some of the examination kit available are up to 96 % exact when it hail to set the front or absence of lead , but none can be assume to fork over a 100 % exact recitation .
“ Lead in Consumer Products . ”Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , 14 May 2025 , www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/sources/consumer-products.htm .
Dignam , Timothy , et al . “ Control of Lead Sources in the United States , 1970 - 2017 : Public Health Progress and Current Challenges to egest Lead Exposure . ”Journal of Public Health Management and Practice : JPHMP , U.S. National Library of Medicine , 2019 , www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6522252/.
“ Statement Regarding Lead and Cadmium in Fiesta Tableware . ” https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/2081/7373/files/FTC_Lead_and_Cadmium_Statement_2022_8232676d-fdf7-4d8a-bde8-3f8d4601433d.pdf?v=1665776738 .
