#leadpoison

Photo Edit by Tiana Connor, Original Photo

Rumors spread like wildfire, and this Pyrex rumor is no exception. In this post, we’ll discuss what the problem with Pyrex is, when and where did this rumor start, and whether or not it is credible.

Origin

Vintage Pyrex contains lead...or so they say. One Facebook page titled “Punk Rock Homesteading”, is said to be the cause of this rumor. In 2016, the page shared a report that Pyrex contains unsafe levels of lead. The shared article, published by Creative Green Living, strongly discouraged the use of vintage Pyrex due to the alleged issue with high lead content. This article had gathered its information from a woman named Tamara Rubin, also known as Lead Safe Mama, and her documentary “MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic”. Rubin is an award winning lead-poisoning prevention advocate and documentary filmmaker. After her own sons were poisoned by the work of a painting contractor in 2005, she started her fight against lead. On her website, she tests not only Pyrex, but other vintage decorations and kitchenware for lead. This is what caused this Pyrex panic and largely contested rumor.

What’s The Truth?

Some say yes and some say no, so what’s the deal? According to Rubin, its a definite yes. Rubin conducts lead tests with a non-radioactive source XRF instrument which detects exact quantities of lead, cadmium, and other metals in the single digit parts-per-million (PPM). On her website, she posts photos of each dish she tests with which metals are found. Her Pyrex list contains countless dishes that we all know and love. While there is evidence of lead, some still dispute Rubin’s findings. The issue is so contested that even Snopes, a trusted source for getting to the bottom of rumors, is unsure. They have the rumor listed as unproven. They’ve even stated that other than Rubin’s findings, conclusive evidence of lead in Pyrex has been hard to find, leaving many just as wary as before.

 What Does This Mean For Me?

DO YOUR RESEARCH! I am not a medical professional, and I am definitely not a lead professional. If you don’t want to risk having lead in your house, that’s completely understandable and you may want to refrain from collecting Pyrex. I personally only collect Pyrex at the moment, and refrain from actually baking with it. I’ve talked to collectors that say they would never use it, or even have it in their house, if they have children as children are far more susceptible to lead poisoning. Meanwhile, some people are completely comfortable with baking and actively using Pyrex on the daily. This issue got so large that The Smithsonian had this to say about the it:

“We do not recommend not using old ware unless it shows signs of deterioration such as cracking or pitting of the glaze. This could be a sign that the glaze is disintegrating and could allow lead to leach into food. In addition to using a home test kit, consumers who want to be cautious might choose to avoid storing foods in older holloware (bowls), consuming hot and acidic liquid beverages such as coffee or tea out of cups, and heating bowls, cups and plates in the microwave. Again, these are qualified recommendations; the ware is not necessarily unsafe because it is old, but it may not comply with current FDA standards.” 

Personally, I do believe there is lead but I share the same sentiment as the blog Retro House Wife Goes Green: its the question of accessibility, not presence. I’m currently house-hunting with my fiancé and, due to my love of vintage, we’ve looked at tons of older houses. My realtor warned that this may mean there’s lead paint in the household, albeit under 10 layers of paint. Since its covered, we would only have to worry when it comes time for renovations...or if someone was actively taking chunks out of our walls for fun. Like the walls of an old house, if the Pyrex is chipped or damaged I would be much more worried about my collection. Ultimately, it is up to you to do what's best for yourself and family.