My Vintage Pyrex Tested Positive For Lead...

[@STAshe1]

Incredible! I would have never thought to test vintage Pyrex. Guess what I’m doing tomorrow! I have always tested cast iron for lead but not because I thought the iron itself contained lead. I’ve seen many times where people would use old and rusty cast iron to melt lead ingots. Usually to cast fishing weights , etc. My childhood neighbor used a cast iron cornbread stick pan to cast lead weights for duck decoys. That has always been my concern. I have run across at least three pieces over the years that tested positive . Those tests are an easy and cheap insurance policy.

[@81Garret]

Exactly

[@pibgorn]

I’m glad I got to see how a lead test is performed. I adore those Amish Butterprint patterns & am sorry it’s got residue on the outside.

[@pinkpeony2171]

I can't thank you enough for that VERY IMPORTANT information !!! I collect antiques, including cookware...I will be very cautious moving forward....THANK YOU!!!

[@equesfuscus]

Thanks for doing the test and sharing the results objectively, even when the news wasn't what you wanted to hear. I'm in the same position: I love my vintage Corningware and Pyrex and want to use it, but obviously want to understand the lead risk.

[@allennorris3650]

The lead danger in cast iron, in my opinion is not from it's manufacture but from use a by previous owners to melt lead for shot, weights, etc. I lead test prior to restoration using 3M test kits. I have found only 1 contaminated piece so far. Just sharing my experience.

[@christineborgatti3760]

Thank you for this info. My daughter and I have been shopping antique stores for cookware.

[@elisabethpiccolo4212]

Corelle has stated that these older items should be used as decorative pieces only, and that only their pieces after 2006 should be used as everyday dinnerware. The lead paint on the bowl exterior microscopically transfers onto your hands as you handle them. It's best to use them as decor! They are still beautiful, but now that we know better we must DO better. Edit to say, this doesn't make me feel any better about not being able to use them. Personally I'm gutted. I collected Old Orchard and used it everyday for two years before I was told about the lead. For some people it might be okay to risk it, but considering we have a large extended family and children around I had to get rid of most of mine and keep some display pieces only.

[@johnanon658]

Damn, 2006!?!

[@horticultureandhomes]

I have worked with ceramics for many years. You would need the bowl to come in contact with acid and your skin for the lead to leach out and pose a problem. Lead paint is primarily a problem if it is inhaled or ingested. Children may eat it where it comes into contact with stomach acid.

[@watercolorgirlfriend]

...and I think if you run it through the dishwasher it spreads it around and contaminates other stuff and the inside of the machine.

[@horticultureandhomes]

@@watercolorgirlfriend No that's not how it works. Acid is needed to leech the lead.

[@Jar0fMay0]

@@watercolorgirlfriendyour not supposed to put these dishes in the dishwasher. It’ll peel off the paint

[@steveniemyer9288]

So does the lead in the paint leach out? If you touch the Pyrex then swab your hand will your hand test positive for lead? They use similar testing swabs in forensics on suspected bullet holes in any number of things, including human tissue. Just like in your test if lead is present on skin tissue from a bullet, the swab and skin will turn red. If it was my Pyrex I would test my hands after handling it to see if my hands were positive for lead, if the test was negative I would most likely continue to use the Pyrex.

[@johnanon658]

Maybe. I mean if the lit can detect it, some is coming put

[@alsaunders7805]

My mom must have dozens of those. Apparently the lead is in the pigment of the exterior glaze. Except for spills food would never touch it. I personally wouldn't worry about it. I probably get more lead exposure every time I load a gun than I would in a lifetime of using that bowl. 🤓🍻

[@BobbiJo]

Interesting. I have several vintage pyrex bowls and have never thought about it containing lead.

[@grivolas2144]

Anything before the 90's has the potential for lead, and imported dishes as well.

[@JackBoots1]

I wouldn't get rid of it since the business side is lead free, but there is nothing wrong with an abundance of caution.

[@watercolorgirlfriend]

I think the glass in these pieces also have lead in them. They can't be tested successfully with just over-the-counter testers. It needs a computerized tool to test properly.

[@papawdan3770]

Sorry about your Pyrex. Know how you enjoyed using it, seen you cooking in it. Glad that you are smashing it but allowing someone else to have a display piece that they might cherish. Thanks for sharing….Dan

[@cynthiawesley8470]

Papaw, I'm all over da place with this 1.

[@johnanon658]

Nno itn

[@elenavaccaro339]

The outside is also 'glazed', a different compound than the inner glass. Personally I would continue to use it, just not anything that touches the outside for very long, such as when pouring batter or food out of it.

[@dalesworld1308]

Lead is in all sorts of glazed dishware and pottery. The only ones I would never use are the mexican bean pots. I would have no problem using those bowls to mix batter or whatever in. And if you took those to an antique mall you should be up front and label them 'CONTAINS LEAD - display only'. But who would buy them then?

[@macnchessplz]

I have one Cinderella milk glass bowl I’ve used a time or two to mix bread dough. They say the milk glass should be safe BUT I’m not using it again until I do one of these tests. It’s a shame bc I love the colorful Pyrex (especially the vintage). We use cast iron and I have a couple of green pan items. Switched out any old plastics, etc and switched to wood and no BPA utensils. I’m hoping the milk glass tests OK. I absolutely love milk glass. Thank you for this info!

[@williamhurt8512]

i wonder how vintage your pyrex bowl is? i have a small casserole and sauce pan that are both almost all white, i wonder if this applies to them as well? spose i'll have to check them both out now that iv'e seen this video, thanx modemac.....................

[@castironchaos]

The "Amish Butterprint" design apparently dates to the 1950s. It's definitely one of the more collectible Pyrex designs, and I've seen the big bowl used in this video selling at some antique places for $100. Much like brand-name cast iron, that's almost certainly overpriced.

[@williamhurt8512]

@@castironchaos my two pieces are from the 1970,s or 80's mostly white like the interior with very little paint in the design patterns... they were "hand me down's" from my moms collections....thanx for the reply...............

[@KellyS_77]

Well cr*p. I've only just seen this video, and never heard of that lady or her channel. But I have a fair amount of Pyrex and they're my favorite casserole dishes. I'm going to have to get some lead tests before I use them again.

[@cynthiawesley8470]

Omg, who woulda thought. Such pretty color. Ima be very honest. I'd KEEP my bowl, keep USING my bowl, & did I say, KEEP MY BOWL?!!!!! Don't throw it away.

[@theresekirkpatrick3337]

I’m dealing with metal exposure from correlle dishes i have been using since the 70’s. They remade them in 2005 but did not recall them. I purchased them at yardsales and thrift stores. How did they get away with this? 🤷‍♀️☠️☠️☠️👺👺👺👺👺💰💰💰

[@russbear31]

Hummm... Yeah, this is possible. It wasn't until the early 1970s that the government became more aware of lead and its dangers. Lead-based paint was common pre-1970. Crap, when I was kid they painted our toys with lead-based paint. I work for the government in an old 80-year-old building that is still full of lead-based paint and asbestos. They move us out of the building every 3 to 4 years for more containment and abatement work. Never got rid of it in 50+ years.

[@bobs5596]

think about the leaded gasoline cars burned forever, and the asbestos brake pads that deposited dust all along the roadways. house paints contained lead up to about 1978. also all the copper pipes soldered with lead solder. or the lead water pipes still in use. i wouldn't worry about a pyrex bowl at all.

[@josiethornton7049]

@@bobs5596 Very good point.

[@pinkroses135]

If you're not building your kitchen similar to an industrial kitchen with good steel, soda glass, some ceramics etc contact with lead is pretty much a given I thought. I still use my 2001 corelle print for fancier meals though lol

[@sopranogirl13]

If there is no lead inside the bowl then I would think it’s safe, if the lead from the paint on the outside of the bowl was able to leach into the inside then it would have showed up on the test. Thus, the bowl is perfectly safe to use for food preparation.

[@nechesrivercatfishin8042]

Yikes. Not good. I’m with you I don’t like the idea of lead in close contact with my food. Even if it’s the outside only. I’ll be testing some of my Pyrex.

[@valsblackcatsrule8740]

Good thing you don't use the outside for cooking! I wouldn't hesitate using the bowl. I have a few myself and wipe the interior before each use as they aren't my go-to mixing bowls. But, if you'd rather sell them, make sure you disclose the information. Stay safe and healthy out there! Thank you for sharing a part of your day with us!

[@SuzanneWho]

I have assorted Corningware casseroles and pans. But they are all white so I think they’re OK since the lead is probably in the colors.

[@sumghai777]

The inside is lead free but what happens when they’re stacked together as a set?

[@YukonHawk1]

At least the inside was safe. I would definitely dump it.

[@johnagen3688]

Wow!...... that's freakn scary!

[@gunther4598]

good to know. thanks CIC.

[@mcmarshall12345]

Maybe the lead was in the paint used for the characters on the outside?

[@castironchaos]

That seems to be the general consensus.

[@meatyboy8811]

When did Walter White buy these wonderful Pyrex bowls. Much love and big fan! 😁

[@castironchaos]

Considering the cooking Walter White does, I doubt he'd use Pyrex bowls.

[@meatyboy8811]

@@castironchaos Perhaps. =)

[@rcdoodles6214]

It would be interesting to test other Pyrex patterns which have much less paint in the pattern, like Friendship or Gooseberry. I have used Pyrex for decades and have no intention of discontinuing its use, especially knowing the test showed the interior doesn’t contain lead.

[@kaylas3814]

I would use the same rules as when you touch raw meat. The main issue seems to be cross-contamination. Plus, when you wash that bowl with other dishes, who knows if you are leaching lead to the other dishes in the dishwasher or sink? Does it just rinse off etc.? Personally, I don't want any leaded dishes in my kitchen at all.

[@heavymetalpermaculture]

Uh oh...I have 2 of those but smaller, same color and farm design

[@howard6792]

If I use the lead test on the cooking surface of my cast iron skillet can I safely remove all the test chemicals from my skillet with dawn soap and water?

[@castironchaos]

Yes, the chemicals don't bond to the metal the way lead does.

[@grivolas2144]

I'm only concerned about the surfaces that the food touches. I apply some nasty chemicals weekly and get tested for exposure. Never had an issue with lead, and I've used that bowl #444 over 40 years with no problems. As long as the food doesn't come into contact with the leaded sections your good to go If those old bowls were that bad the government would have issued some warning awhile ago. Besides they still make leaded wine glasses.

[@81Garret]

You should be worried about fumes as well the outside is being heated up you're breathing that in. Can't be good

[@grivolas2144]

@@81Garret You got to get to 752 F for that to happen

[@elisabethpiccolo4212]

The outside leaches and microscopically transfers onto your hands, sink, and the inside of other bowls when you stack them. Corelle has stated that pre-2006 glass products they produced should be used as decorative pieces only. Scary stuff!! Very disappointing, I only found out AFTER purchasing a set and using it everyday for two years. I'm just devastated.

[@grivolas2144]

@@elisabethpiccolo4212 I wouldn't be devastated I bet your tap water has more lead and lethal chemicals in it.

[@rtscott5899]

good info. thanks

[@turbografx16]

The obvious solution seems to be: don't prepare food on the outside of the bowl.

[@elisabethpiccolo4212]

The outside leaches and microscopically transfers onto your hands, sink, and the inside of other bowls when you stack them. Not safe if you have children around!

[@Normalizeewee]

Yea because if you paint your walls with lead paint the solution must be just not to lick the walls 🙄

[@turbografx16]

@@Normalizeewee Mostly, yeah, don't eat paint chips. You're also not surrounded by, or breathing, a bowl. Lead doesn't simply radiate or transmit harmful effects across the ether.

[@redbeard6220]

@elisabethpiccolo4212 Grandma probably prepared food for your mom or dad in Pyrex cookware. You are here in 2023 commenting on KZbin, so that means your parents survived, right?

[@evanhughes1510]

@@elisabethpiccolo4212 So it’s safe if you don’t have children around?

[@Jason-jd1jv]

What are the ethical ramifications of selling your bowls knowing they contain lead? Will you notify potential customers that it contains lead and if so, how do you feel about selling it if they are going to use it anyway?

[@cynthiawesley8470]

Hmmmm

[@K-R-C69]

I can't stand devil's advocacy, but I'll answer your question. There are no ethical ramifications. Resellers aren't manufacturers, and consumers of secondary market goods are responsible for their own research before purchasing. There's no federal or state ban on selling Pyrex, so no one can go back on a reseller seeking damages.

[@castironchaos]

That's a tough question indeed, especially when considering the stacks and stacks of Pyrex that can be found at most antique malls everywhere. Maybe I'll do a video on what happens if I drop them off a cliff?

[@chrisnormandeau6101]

“By bringing them to an antique mall” …. Aka “I don’t want this to poison me, but it’s ok if it poisons someone else.”

[@Jar0fMay0]

Nothing is going to happen if you use this bowl.

[@bluedogron]

I think the lea is in the paint coloring on the outside so it should not harm anyone.

[@TheCozyNester]

Where do you get your lead tests from? I would love to order and test my cookware.

[@castironchaos]

You can get a pack of two lead tests for $10 at Home Depot or Lowes. That's actually quite expensive. On Amazon and other sites, they sell lead tests with 15 swabs rather than two.

[@byteblock1667]

Just curious as to why you shaking so much?

[@mvan8307]

I'm honestly not that surprised, lead and asbestos went into everything at one time.

[@Zoe-ly9yd]

Are you still going to use the bowl? I gasped when you showed your bowl bc I have the same one but in small :(

[@castironchaos]

I passed it on to my roommate before I moved to a new home.

[@Drtdggr]

If you buy vintage pyrex that is solid colors and someone ran it thru dishwasher repeated times, and then handwash the color will be on your washcloth or sponge....I think that is when I would'nt ever use that bowl or dispose of it

[@kennethwhatley2416]

My grandmother used the same bowls until she was 98 years old and never had a problem with lead poisoning.

[@foxgloved1]

we live in fear culture now

[@whiskeyinthejarful]

Your grandma used the bowl while the glaze was newest. This is precisely the problem, unfortunately. The glaze breaks down over time and the metals and chemicals that it sealed in are increasingly released. By the time you’re using a vintage piece, you have no idea how much of the protective glaze is left. Side note: This same issue is playing out on a way, WAY bigger scale than pyrex. Things that were “fine” for one generation aren’t fine after 5 generations: they build up. That’s the problem. People always squawk about how “sick” everyone seems nowadays - gee golly, what gives? Why this huge increase in gut issues and thyroid issues and allergies and mental health issues … well part of it might be this. Many of these substances and pollutants NEVER break down, and we are reaping what we have sown for decades and decades of producing/using them. :/

[@Kathleen67.]

I have read that only certain white colors don't contain lead, everything else does.

[@deloresmiller6468]

I personally would use it since the lead is just on the outside.

[@Kevin-vw7yi]

If you think it's dangerous, I will gladly take all your Pyrex

[@SomeWhereOverTheRainbow1]

use them as a planter

[@aliciadishman]

So mixing bowl, yes, cooking vessel, no!

[@daCubanaqt]

Why wouldn’t vintage pieces that are painted contain lead? Old paint in your house contains lead, makes sense that many painted vintage items would have lead.

[@amilan409]

Are the chemicla ssafe annd non-toxic or are we adding toxic chemicals to look for toxic lead ?

[@Poiuytrew.Q]

I'm sure you'll be fine as long you don't lick the outside :)

[@elenak8357]

I'd get rid of it. You're going to touch the bowl once it's on the table, your family members will as well, and then touch tour eyes or mouth, or a small child will put their hands in their mouth after touching the bowl. Just be safe and toss it.

[@lashawndabug5245]

Oop uuuh-

[@masonchristian4432]

sorry the vintage set was shown to be unsafe. for you or anybody it seems.

[@michaelhayes7471]

So you're going to pass it to someone else nice

[@tomjones3729]

I think you're being ridiculous just don't cook eggs on the outside of your bowl somehow

[@81Garret]

I think you're being ridiculous

[@cynthiawesley8470]

C'mon y'a'll now. Let's play nice. 😞

[@tomjones3729]

@@cynthiawesley8470 I think this goes hand-in-hand with the not tearing down old houses because they have lead paint but teach your children not to eat the paint or chew on the woodwork and if you can't do that you are a part of the problem

[@castironchaos]

@@tomjones3729 My godson, who is approaching four years old, tested for accelerated levels of lead when Mama Bear brought him to the doctor for his regular checkup. They tested their home for lead and found the window frames tested positive. They complained to the landlord and he immediately sent some folks there to replace the windows. After the windows were replaced, his next physical showed reduced and normal levels.

[@raybruce9522]

We used to break thermometers open to get the mercury out to play with in the 70 s. How am I still alive haha. Pyrex is the best quit being helicopter parents.

[@K-R-C69]

Tamara Rubin (Lead Paint Mama) has a long history of having run numerous scams on people, so I wouldn't put any faith in anything she claims. Do some research on her, and I think you might feel differently about heeding her questionable advice.

[@castironchaos]

I've already done my research on her and I felt that way before testing my Pyrex. I know about the non-profit scandal, but that doesn't affect the results of this test. I also know about her favorite toy, the X-ray gun, and I'm suspicious of that as well. This is why I wanted to test these myself rather than accepting the advice of her Web site, which doesn't have any links at all for further research other than more links to her own Web site. After being mentioned by Snopes a few times -- and not in a positive light -- she has a genuine vendetta against them and makes a point of using hashtags like "screwsnopes" and the like in her posts. This is also why I'm not getting rid of my enameled cast iron despite her claims of them being unsafe due to cadmium content in the enamel.

[@kimberlycates5069]

Your hands touch the out side of the bowl when using it to cook . DONT do it. Just for display only. not worth it

[@janeto8782]

Dispose of the Pyrex!! Why would you pass it on to expose others?? 😠

[@castironchaos]

In the end, I did just that.

[@redbeard6220]

Give me a like if you're still wearing a mask in 2023.

[@MrRbillharz]

I think you're overreacting. You might want to do a little more research on lead.

[@81Garret]

Wow come on