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Problematic Pyrex: Do Vintage Dishes REALLY Contain Lead?

Photo Edit by Tiana Connor, Original Photo

Rumors spread like wildfire, and this Pyrex rumor is no exception. In this post, we’ll discuss what the problem with Pyrex is, when and where did this rumor start, and whether or not it is credible.

Origin

Vintage Pyrex contains lead...or so they say. One Facebook page titled “Punk Rock Homesteading”, is said to be the cause of this rumor. In 2016, the page shared a report that Pyrex contains unsafe levels of lead. The shared article, published by Creative Green Living, strongly discouraged the use of vintage Pyrex due to the alleged issue with high lead content. This article had gathered its information from a woman named Tamara Rubin, also known as Lead Safe Mama, and her documentary “MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic”. Rubin is an award winning lead-poisoning prevention advocate and documentary filmmaker. After her own sons were poisoned by the work of a painting contractor in 2005, she started her fight against lead. On her website, she tests not only Pyrex, but other vintage decorations and kitchenware for lead. This is what caused this Pyrex panic and largely contested rumor.

What’s The Truth?

Some say yes and some say no, so what’s the deal? According to Rubin, its a definite yes. Rubin conducts lead tests with a non-radioactive source XRF instrument which detects exact quantities of lead, cadmium, and other metals in the single digit parts-per-million (PPM). On her website, she posts photos of each dish she tests with which metals are found. Her Pyrex list contains countless dishes that we all know and love. While there is evidence of lead, some still dispute Rubin’s findings. The issue is so contested that even Snopes, a trusted source for getting to the bottom of rumors, is unsure. They have the rumor listed as unproven. They’ve even stated that other than Rubin’s findings, conclusive evidence of lead in Pyrex has been hard to find, leaving many just as wary as before.

 What Does This Mean For Me?

DO YOUR RESEARCH! I am not a medical professional, and I am definitely not a lead professional. If you don’t want to risk having lead in your house, that’s completely understandable and you may want to refrain from collecting Pyrex. I personally only collect Pyrex at the moment, and refrain from actually baking with it. I’ve talked to collectors that say they would never use it, or even have it in their house, if they have children as children are far more susceptible to lead poisoning. Meanwhile, some people are completely comfortable with baking and actively using Pyrex on the daily. This issue got so large that The Smithsonian had this to say about the it:

“We do not recommend not using old ware unless it shows signs of deterioration such as cracking or pitting of the glaze. This could be a sign that the glaze is disintegrating and could allow lead to leach into food. In addition to using a home test kit, consumers who want to be cautious might choose to avoid storing foods in older holloware (bowls), consuming hot and acidic liquid beverages such as coffee or tea out of cups, and heating bowls, cups and plates in the microwave. Again, these are qualified recommendations; the ware is not necessarily unsafe because it is old, but it may not comply with current FDA standards.” 

Personally, I do believe there is lead but I share the same sentiment as the blog Retro House Wife Goes Green: its the question of accessibility, not presence. I’m currently house-hunting with my fiancé and, due to my love of vintage, we’ve looked at tons of older houses. My realtor warned that this may mean there’s lead paint in the household, albeit under 10 layers of paint. Since its covered, we would only have to worry when it comes time for renovations...or if someone was actively taking chunks out of our walls for fun. Like the walls of an old house, if the Pyrex is chipped or damaged I would be much more worried about my collection. Ultimately, it is up to you to do what's best for yourself and family. 

You should always do your research about anything you’re unsure of, so I highly encourage you to not only use this blog post but to look deeper and come to a conclusion on your own! Stay safe and be smart!

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DI-Y Did I Start Collecting Pyrex?

I was perusing TikTok one day over the summer and came across this video. Never before had I known what Pyrex really was, aside from a glass bowl I had bought from Target once. This video opened up my eyes on how to create a cheap and safer way to own these beautiful glass pieces...and unknowingly started a new hobby.

What do I mean when I say it’s a safer way? Well, Corning Glass Works developed Pyrex in 1915 but lead standards for dishes did not start until the 1970s. Now the lead issue is not exclusive to Pyrex, as other brands such as Fire King also contain painted patterns on them. The safety issue alone is enough for me to think making your own Pyrex is a brilliant idea! As always, it’s best to do your research before using something! It appears that the lead paint is mainly a problem on the exterior of dishes but I prefer to remain cautious about it. The dishes are decoration only for my personal collection!

As for the price issue, Pyrex can carry a big price tag! Even at the thrift store, one piece of Pyrex can be $25. On Etsy and EBay some Pyrex pieces can go well over $300. Creating your own “Pyrex” dish can leave you with gorgeous pieces that don’t break the bank.

With these points in mind, you’d think I’d stick only to DIYing my own dishes but that is simply not the case. I told my grandparents about the video and asked them if they knew about Pyrex. They laughed and proceeded to pull out tons of Pyrex bowls and dishes and tell me about how popular they were back in the day. By me expressing interest, they then began to invite me to vintage and antique sales, trips to the thrift store, and to community yard sales. My grandmother would send me images over text of her own Pyrex finds and purchases. Not only were my grandparents interested, but so was my great grandmother! After making fun of my pronunciation of the word (I pronounced Pyrex “peer-ex” instead of “pi-Rex”), she pulled out the very collection that the video is replicating. This fifteen second TikTok that I had passed by spiraled into a lovely bonding experience with my grandparents and great grandmother that I will always cherish. I started my collection because of a DIY video and kept adding pieces because of the connection with my grandparents and I couldn’t be happier!

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10 Pyrex Patterns That Cost A Pretty Penny!

Vintage Pyrex has a thriving community of collectors that more often than not are willing to pay quite a few bucks for the vibrant kitchenware. While these Pyrex-pursuers will try to collect all Pyrex patterns, some are more sought after than others. Here are the top 10 most expensive patterns in the Pyrex community:

10. Pink Daisy 

Photo by Petra Hendricks

ETSY: $75.00  EBAY: $134.99

The Pink Daisy pattern was introduced in 1956 and discontinued in 1963. This pattern was introduced alongside another popular pattern, Snowflake. This pattern was the first to be printed on a solid color. This pattern has come back into popularity, as you can see with my first blog post people have even DIY-ed this pattern to avoid the big price tag. 

9. Rainbow Stripes

Photo by mypyrexlady

ETSY: $225.00 EBAY: $149.00

This pattern was in production from 1965 to 1987 in four colors: blue, pink, sandalwood, and yellow. Collectors often mix and match these colors together, and can build a 64-set nesting bowl collection, however the full set might cost a hefty price tag. Fear not, as single bowls come at reasonable prices.

8. New Dots

Photo by Microwave Cooking for One

ETSY: $275.00 EBAY: $189.99

Known as one of the most popular Pyrex patterns of all time, this collection was released in five different colors from 1969 to 1973. These colors included red, blue, yellow, green, and orange. Much like Rainbow Stripes, single bowls may come at a reasonable price but a full set may cost an arm and a leg.

7. Snowflakes (Blue Garland)

Photo by SHIPPINGLASSGAL

ETSY: $325.00 EBAY: $289.99

Introduced alongside the Pink Daisy pattern in 1956, this pattern remained on shelves until 1967. The most popular version of this pattern is white snowflakes on a turquoise background, however there are other variations (blue on white). 

6. Balloons

Photo by Berinjela

ETSY: $300.00 EBAY: $350.00

Produced in 1958, the balloon design was the first patterned promotional item that was offered as a Chip and Dip set. It was only available for a limited time and was also used as a salad and dressing set and a punch bowl set. This set comes with a metal bracket to hold the bowls.

5. Atomic Eyes

Photo by whatmariafound

ETSY: N/A EBAY: $495.00

Atomic Eyes, or just Eyes, was another Chip and Dip set produced by Pyrex from 1950 to 1959, the exact date of first production is unknown. The Pyrex stamp found on the bottom of each Pyrex dish does not appear on some of these patterned bowls. This set also comes with a metal bracket, like the Balloons set. 

4. Gooseberry

Photo by randmboutique

ETSY: $398.00 EBAY: $550.00

The entire pattern collection includes four nesting bowls, a 12-piece casserole set, and an 8-piece refrigerator set. It was also one of the first four printed patterns released on opal Pyrex. This pattern also had several color variations: pink on white, white on pink, black on yellow, black on white, and gold on beige. The most popular version is the white on pink design. This pattern was also one of the first patterns printed on Cinderella bowls, stackable mixing bowls with spouts on either side.

3. Pink Stems

Photo by Aunt Glady’s Attic

ETSY: $475.00 EBAY: $774.95

Pink Stems, or Stems, only came on a small casserole dish and not on a set. This pattern was released in 1968 as a promotional item, but due to its rarity not much else can be found about it. 

2. Butterprint

Photo by TheCoolCurator

ETSY: $664.99 EBAY:$1,315.19 

 Butterprint, released in 1957, was one of the first printed patterns on the opal ware Pyrex line, following Snowflake and Pink Daisy. This pattern has an Amish farm theme printed on them, and was released in several colors such as pink and orange. Along with Gooseberry, Butterprint was one of the first patterns printed on Cinderella bowls.

1. Lucky In Love

Photo by Microwave Cooking for One

ETSY: N/A EBAY: $4,250.00 (2015)

The Holy Grail of Pyrex, this pattern is so rare that none can be currently found on either of these sites but the last known eBay sale was in February of 2015. This pattern, like the Pink Stems pattern, only came on one dish and was not a set. What makes this print so rare is that the company says Lucky in Love was a limited release. The print was rereleased in 2018, but the vintage still reigns supreme.

Prices listed are current (10/24/20) and from Etsy and eBay, two massive selling/bidding websites.

Sources not otherwise cited: Wide Open Eats, 12 Tomatoes, and Dusty Old Thing

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Pyrex Stacking! - Via

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Welcome to Positively Pyrex, my blog for all things vintage Pyrex! I had to create a blog for one of my college courses so I chose to write about what I love!