I’d never even given a thought to lead 11 months ago. I was an ordinary man then—clocking into work, running in the park, planning my wedding. A man who still had faith in the idea that some worries belong exclusively to the past. But in the life of a reporter, there are those stories that gradually and unexpectedly begin to consume you, and slowly turn you into the haunted detective who can’t let go and won’t shut up about that one case. For me, that case was at-home lead testing. In the spring of 2024, as the Stanley tumbler lead scare began to spread across social media, I came across a novel lead test that was purportedly more precise, more affordable, and easier to use than any other test before it: Lumetallix. It’s a kit that comes with a small spray bottle with a chemical that glows neon green in the presence of lead, allowing you to test items around your home. The test works by revealing traces of toxic lead dust hiding in dishes, painted walls and objects, brass doorknobs, power tool handles, heirloom crystal glasses, and beyond. Perhaps stuff that’s been in your family for generations. I knew I had to test it—I, too, needed to know where exactly in my life I had unknowingly crossed paths with the specter of lead. Because while regulations over the last half century have helped significantly reduce the prevalence of lead, the ability to easily test for it in our homes today minimizes the risk of accidental exposure. Spraying this potion around my home was like being able to see the world around me in a 4th dimension. Yes, the consumer in me was horrified that everyday objects could contain toxic amounts of a well-known heavy metal. But the reporter in me was thrilled by the chase. I started testing everything around me—serving plates, mugs, hand-painted bowls—in search of that neon-green glow. Friends and relatives would send me pictures of prospective estate stale purchases with one-line messages: “Do you think this has lead in it?” I even organized a “bring your vintage mug to work” day at Wirecutter’s office. I had become the lead guy. Here’s what I learned: When it comes to lead, year over year, you become less and less likely to come into contact with it. My at-home tests reflected this, and I detected no lead on almost all of the non-vintage objects I tested. But still, in some places, lead lingers, and that neon green glows. And as for me? Just when I think I am finally over it, just when I think that the itch to lead test has passed me by entirely, I suddenly find myself at a dinner party, being served salad from a lone, brightly painted antique bowl, wishing I had my lead test—wondering not if, but how much lead paint I’d find on the surface. What to know before you start scanning your glassware and chipping paint→ We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
A great set of dinnerware will bring a touch of class and personality to any dinner table, while withstanding the rigors of daily use. After researching more than 300 collections since 2016, we have a few recommendations in porcelain, stoneware, bone china, and glass. Our 11 favorites for setting the table→ Thanks for reading. You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you. Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
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