Much to my chagrin, I recently heard vintage Pyrex has lead in its decorations and even the red ink on the measuring cups. I immediately researched because I love my vintage Pyrex cookware as most people I know do. And as it turns out, most studies I found showed harmful levels of lead present. The highest concentration of lead is usually found in the paint on the outside of the bowls. For more information from someone who tests her dishes with a lead detection kit, click here.
I love all things vintage, but there’s something extra special about serving meals in dishes my grandmother or great aunts would have used. I’ve spent a lot of time locating and purchasing good deals on my Pyrex. After first hearing this, I thought for a long while about whether or not I could ignore that and continue using my beautiful dishes in blissful ignorance.
Reluctantly, I decided I cannot ignore that. We might only be exposed to small amounts of lead that rubs off, but small amounts of lead over time can cause some serious health issues. And that lead can get on other dishes in your dishwasher. Ugh. With my history of illness, I cannot afford to take the risk. I just can’t unhear it, you know?
What are your thoughts on using your vintage Pyrex for more than decoration?
xMaegan
Daisy-Head Maezie 
Oh that’s an awful decision to make. I know how much you love your vintage kitchen things. But better to be aware of it. Love you!
Exactly. Which also means that my mushroom canisters probz have it too. I’ve been researching it and can’t find anything on it. Google Pyrex food safety and it’s everywhere. Crossing my fingers!
I was a child in the 70s and my family used Pyrex dishes just like these… every week casseroles and baked fruit deserts would be cooked and served in those dishes. Some were new and some were handed down from older generations. I think you might be worrying over nothing about toxins in the outside decoration causing a health issue, because my family never experienced any horrific health issues using those dishes and neither did anyone else I’ve ever heard of using them.
In the 1980s there were a lot of investigations on items used in the kitchen that were seriously in question as to whether they were safe. Aluminium saucepans were one of those in question, everyone started replacing their old saucepans with stainless steal, and I still prefer stainless steal today because of it’s durability… but again, all our food in our family was cooked in those dreaded aluminium saucepans. The fear was, that metal from the aluminium would be digested and would cause dementia… nobody in my family who had years of contact with those saucepans developed dementia.
In the back of mind I’m still concerned about the same issue with food cans and also plastics in food especially the containers designed to be cooked in an oven or microwave and silicon bakeware. I got rid of all my non-stick cookware many years ago because of similar fears it wasn’t safe. But then I wonder… how much of what we are told is unsafe is actually true, and how many other things in life are a far worse danger to us but very few are aware because manufactures and drug companies go to great lengths to make sure we don’t find out?
It’s a strange world!! I guess you have to do whatever you are comfortable with, because who knows… maybe the anxiety of a substance being potentially harmful is actually in itself far more harmful to us?
I’ve been there too. I’m currently getting rid of my plastic Tupperware containers because of the same fear. The anxiety does feel more harmful, especially in the short-term. I’m going to do an experiment with them and a lead test kit, so I’ll report back! Thank you for reading! 🙂
☺️👍
I also googled it and there are plenty of sites saying hooey. Snopes rates it as unproven. I’ll buy you a lead detection kit if you want.
Yes! Use the lead detection kit.
Well, I hope that’s true! That could be my holiday gift 🙂 Love you!
Pingback: Vintage Pyrex Lead Test – Results – Mae Goes West
Oh No! I love my Pyrex!
I know!! Me too. I did a lead test on mine recently and will post my results Tuesday. Thanks for reading!
Pingback: Is There Lead in My Vintage Pyrex Experiment Results – Mae Goes West