Lead in dishes..

16 years ago

How does one test dishes for the lead content? We recently purchased a new set of everyday dishes. They are pretty heavy stoneware made in Portugal. When using in the microwave, they absorb an awful lot of heat. Did not happen with previous dishes. Just wondering, does that excess heat have anything to do with lead content?

They do have a glaze on them.

Comments (14)

kathi_mdgd
16 years ago
Get one of the lead testing things from the hardware store.I steer clear of dishes and mugs made in China as they always have lead in them.
Kathi
foggyj
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, I didn't know they had those.
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I am alarmed about a lot of "stuff"...like the fact that I have not seen an earthworm in my yard in easily 10 years, and the fact that I rarely see a honey bee cruising the dandelions, but if there is lead leached out of such widely used dishes we would all have gone the way of the honey bee and the earth worm years ago. As a kid I had a mickey mouse watch with a radium painted numbers and hands. I wore it to bed every night so I could see the time if I woke. Later I got a "nurse's watch" that also had radium dial and hands. Had to go be fixed one time and came back without the radium on the hands. I was bummed. Also ate off of Fiesta daily in the 40's until my mother got Desert rose.... I don't worry about the lead sealed under the glaze but I do worry about the Glyphosphate and the "round up ready" crops.
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Many glazes are supposed to craze and crackle. It is part of the beauty of those particular glazes and it is often an on going process. I don'y think there is any problem with that. Copper and cobalt are great conductors and glazes with a lot of either can be uncomfortabley warm when heated in the microwave but I don't think they present any danger. Lead vaporizes at a relatively low tempeture and would not be used in stoneware. In low fire ware it is a different story. If it has been improperly or unevenly fired the lead is seriously risky. If you have already done it enough you will be too dumb to care so don't worry. Many yellow glazes contain rare and exototic metal but I think that that particular potter would know how to use them safely and unless he had a hidden agenda the queen would have been safe. Linda reminded me that my brother and cousins and I used to make lead soldiers all the time. I don;t remeber being told not to but we must have thought so because we always did it when and where there were no adults around. So if I seem a little loopy try to be kind.
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TACHE
16 years ago
It's unlikely that they have lead in the glaze if they really are stoneware. Lead would totally disapate at the the tempature that stoneware needs to be fired. On second thought. People can be pretty careless with the terms low fire and high fire. If there is any question at all test it and don't use them for anything that is at all acidy because that would make the lead leech out into the food contained. If you collect pottery and plan to use it that lead testing kit would be a good thing to have. Lead poisoning is usually irreversable.
minnie_tx
16 years ago
I don't know but even way back when we never ate off of any dishes bought on Mexican trips. Just for show or put a paper plate on top.
In ceramics you have to buy a certain paint and lacquer that is lead free and ok for eating.
azzalea
16 years ago
Lead aside--if you have dishes that absorb heat when you microwave in them, they SHOULD NOT be used in the microwave. I'm not talking about heat transfer from hot food, but the dishes themselve heat up during microwaving.

The test for an item being microwave safe is to put a cup/bowl of water in the microwave and zap it 1-2 minutes. If the water is hot and the dish still cool, it's safe to use. If the dish is warm, then it's not a good idea to use in the microwave.
foggyj
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for your comments. These were purchased at World Market. They say microwave safe. They just seem to hold more heat than the former set, and made us wonder about lead. Maybe nothing, but, I'll look for the test kit.
marilyn_c
16 years ago
I just threw away all my dishes made in China. I had some nice bowls, but didn't need them and it was the general principle of the thing.
foggyj
Original Author
16 years ago
I hear you marilyn. Maybe if we all did that, and went on strike against products made in China.....What would happen?. Probably nothing. But it makes ME feel better to know I'm trying. I guess this would be a whole other thread on Hot Topics.
DYH
16 years ago
After seeing this thread and a friend asking me about our dishes, I emailed Williams-Sonoma. We have the everyday restaurant white basic dishes (24 place settings) that are made in China. Here is their response to me, which is reassuring.

Hello,

Thank you for contacting Williams-Sonoma.

As you may be aware, there are strict Federal and State regulations that limit the amount of lead that is allowed in food ware sold in this country. All our products meet these guidelines. .

Williams-Sonoma will not sell any product that does not adhere strictly to the lead standards established by the State or Federal Government.

All glazed ceramic ware products intended for sale are tested. If any are found to leach lead above State or Federal standards, they are rejected, destroyed or sent back to the manufacturer.

We also employ a worldwide testing service to obtain independent lead analyses at the source prior to shipping. In addition, our Quality Assurance group randomly selects incoming products for back-up testing.
If we may be of any further assistance, please contact us via email. Alternately, you may contact our Customer Service Department directly at 1(800) 541-1262 from 7:00am to 11:00pm (CST), seven days a week.

Kind regards,
Tina Setliff
Williams-Sonoma
Customer Service
joyfulguy
16 years ago
Slogan being, "Get the lead out!".

Wherever found, that may be consumable.

o j
foggyj
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks, wonbyherwits. I wish there was a company name on these dishes, but there isn't. Next step, is to contact World Market and ask who made these plain white dishes.
I guess I'm skittish about this stuff, in light of recent events.
jannie
16 years ago
I guy only Pfaltzgraff dishware (stoneware) because they manufacture their own, here in the US.
foggyj
Original Author
16 years ago
Good point. I think we should look for those. Thanks.
monica_pa Grieves
16 years ago
More china bashing (no pun intended).
If goods are being manufactured in China or anywhere else, it is the responsibility of the company hiring the manufacturing company to provide specifications and monitor compliance to those specs.
I don't read anyone saying they won't ever buy Mattel toys again.
Also reminds me of when I was a child, and everyone bashing goods from Japan as junk, and swearing never to buy anything from Japan.

Lead in dishes..

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