Toys made before the ban on lead paint in 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Therefore, painted antiques or collectible toys that are passed down through generations may contain lead. Additionally, older toys made of tin, brass, or pewter alloys may contain lead.
The only two methods to accurately test a toy for lead is through a certified XRF Analyzer or by certified laboratory. Although do-it-yourself kits are available, they do not indicate how much lead is present and their reliability at detecting low levels of lead has not been determined.
Vintage and antique toys may also contain unacceptable levels of lead. And by “antique,” we don't mean ancient. Toys made in the 1970s and 1980s have been shown to contain high lead levels.
❖ How do toys become contaminated with lead? Lead may be found in the paint of either wooden or plastic toys. It was banned in house paint and other products in the United States in 1978. However, it is still widely used in other countries, and can still be found on toys from other countries.
Lead toy soldiers and other figures were very popular. They were first made in moulds in Germany during the 18th Century. Lead was used as it was a cheap an widely available metal, and people were not aware of it being a poisonous metal. Later tin was used which is not as soft and breakable as lead.
Toys made before the ban on lead paint in 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Therefore, painted antiques or collectible toys that are passed down through generations may contain lead. Additionally, older toys made of tin, brass, or pewter alloys may contain lead.
Many beloved and sought-after vintage brands — like Pyrex, Lenox, Anchor, Liberty Blue, Spode — have manufactured tableware with lead, and while they're not all contaminated, it's worth keeping in mind that you should double check anything made before 2011.
Older toys have not been subject to today's rigorous safety checks and regulations. They won't have age recommendations either. Avoid old LEGO bricks from the '70s and '80s. Dr Andrew Turner, from the University of Portsmouth, found them of major concern in his study.
During a recent test of Tupperware's yellow vintage measuring cups, not only did the expert find lead, but she found arsenic as well. In a post on her website on the disturbing results, Tamara - who goes by LeadSafeMama on Instagram - urges everyone to think twice before using the measuring cups.
Playing with old plastic toys may not be good for your child's health. Toxins found in old toys and dress-up items made of plastic. Reuse and recycling of old products helps prevent environmental degradation and can significantly reduce air and water pollution.
Lego had lead in its bricks up to 1984. The probability of finding lead in Lego bricks exponentially over the years, but there was still a small probability of finding lead in the early 1980s.
Initially, lead poisoning can be hard to detect — even people who seem healthy can have high blood levels of lead. Signs and symptoms usually don't appear until dangerous amounts have accumulated.
The vinyl toys consisted largely of Barbie dolls and other dolls. Overall, lead or cadmium was found in 67% of vintage plastic toys, frequently at concentrations exceeding current U.S. and European limits. Arsenic was detected at levels of concern in 16% of the samples.
To prevent choking in kids 3 or younger, make sure that toys and parts cannot fit inside an empty toilet paper tube or a choke tube. Soft baby toys should be large enough that they can't be swallowed even when they are squished down. Check stuffed animals for eyes, noses and parts that can come off.
Some toys can be washed in the washing machine. Other toys can be wiped down by hand with soap and water. If you live in a home built before 1978 and you plan to renovate, repair or paint it, visit: www.epa.gov/lead. The most effective cleaning method combines vacuuming and wet washing at least once a week.
There is no antidote for lead. Treatment of lead poisoning consists of removal from the source of exposure. Chelation therapy should be considered for treatment of severe symptoms or markedly elevated blood lead levels.
It's more than 11 years old: If the Tupperware you have at home is excessively old, you should replace it not only because it may have deep scratches from constant use where bacteria can get trapped, but also because it's probably made of bisphenol-A (BPA), a potentially harmful chemical.
With vintage Tupperware products, dangerous elements (read: potentially toxic chemicals) come into play. If your Tupperware is old enough, it might even leach harmful chemicals and heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and arsenic into stored food.
When to Throw Away Tupperware. There's no standard rule of thumb about when it's time to throw out your plastic containers. How long your containers last depends on how well you care for them, and the quality of plastic they're made of. You'll know it's time to toss your containers if they become warped or cracked.
And ultimately, you don't have to get rid of your old toys, even if you don't have space for them. Self storage makes for a great place to store treasured memories if you don't have space in your home anymore.
Reusing old toys is certainly very minimalista. But are vintage toys safe? Unfortunately, if you ask the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the answer is a big old “no.” Congress passed a law in 2008 that set the current federal safety standards for all toys made in or imported into the United States.
If a child still wants to play with toys as they move into adolescence, it is totally normal and to be celebrated!
As of 2010, all IKEA products have been manufactured without lead. Click here to learn more. Did you find this useful?
Lead has long been used in ceramic ware, both in glazes and in decorations. It gives a smooth, glasslike finish that makes the colors more intense and allows decorative patterns to show through the glaze. Many old china dishes and mixing bowls can contain lead, especially if they are bright colors and very decorative.