Comments on: Will my juicer poison me?

Question: Will my juicer poison me?

one_bean — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:38:07 -0800

What's the likelihood that my new juicer has lead in it?

I bought this juicer, and I'm somewhat concerned it might have lead in it. It's made in China and has a bright orange coat of enamel paint. Any way of knowing if it's lead-based? Can I get a "probably not"?

By: winston

winston — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:47:02 -0800

The description says it's enamelled. I take this to mean it's actual enamel and not enamel paint. I don't think there'd be any lead in that.

By: phyrewerx

phyrewerx — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:47:36 -0800

There are DIY methods but the US govt says these may lead to false positives. One test involves chipping a small piece of paint and immersing it in a sodium sulphite solution.

Another way is to buy home test kits (consumer report link)

By: boomchicka

boomchicka — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:01:31 -0800

I highly doubt lead paint is specified by the manufacturer. In fact, I would think it would be illegal to do so (although I haven't looked it up). Are you asking whether the Chinese factory is sneakily using lead paint? I doubt there's any way to tell other than having it tested.

By: peacheater

peacheater — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 18:13:04 -0800

Probably not.

By: one_bean

one_bean — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 20:30:39 -0800

Asking mostly for my girlfriend because she was concerned the paint might (illicitly) have lead paint in it. Thanks for the re-assurance.

By: garfy3

garfy3 — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:22:54 -0800

i would recommend testing.

from what i understand of (some) enameling processes, it's like applying a pottery glaze to the metal (glaze being minerals suspended in solution), which is then dried and fired up to a temperature at which it melts and gets all glassy/glossy. lots of low-fire pottery glazes with bright colors these days that show up from china are being found to contain lead. good luck.