Recently we had dozens of toys and plates tested for lead content at NY Lead Abatement.

Using an x-ray fluorescent analyzer, technician Yossi Stern showed each newly-bought item was completely safe from high lead levels.

He did show us one home contamination case from a few years ago that baffled investigators until...

"I said let's test the dishes. We tested the dishes, and sure enough it came up positive,” says Stern.

The dishes in this case received extensive use.

"These were the dishes that they used to cook in, and serve dinner and lunch and so on and so forth. Overtime, you're causing leeching from the lead sealer to get into the food that eventually goes into our system,” says Stern.

When it comes to dishes, be glad they don't make em like they used to.
Because before 1978 they used to make them with lead: lead designs, lead paint, and lead glazes.

So grandma's china, that depression-era platter or holiday punchbowl would probably set off the lead detector.

But that doesn't make it dangerous to eat off of a couple times a year.

However if you're going to take a container like this one, of unknown origin, and then store juice in it for several days you may be asking for trouble.

Remember, truly dangerous pieces of china are fairly rare. But be cautious of decorations over glaze instead of beneath it. Can you feel the decoration when you rub your fingers over it?

Don't store food or drink in questionable china pitchers or bowls.

Don't use a questionable piece of china in your everyday routine.

Don't heat or microwave in questionable china