March 29th, 2011

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

Five pieces of ceramic kitchenware purchased in Chinatown contained levels of lead many times higher than the legal limit, according to an analysis by Thomas Jefferson University doctors who have tested dozens of items sold by Philadelphia merchants.

They reported the results to the Food and Drug Administration, and a spokesman said Monday night that the agency would be following up with its own tests.

Although the two spoons and three plates appear to be clearly out of compliance – the lead standard for plates is 3 parts per million, and these contained 52, 130, and 145 ppm – it is unclear whether they caused any problems for infants, who are most at risk.

Read the full story: High lead levels found in kitchenware sold in Chinatown