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Flooring Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Help! Need floor and walls tiles with no lead

5 years ago

Hi: I had beautiful black and white floor tiles I was going to have our contractor put on our bathroom floor. I'd bought them at a tile store about three years ago. It's a popular traditional pattern. I was just reading that some tiles contain lead so I sent a few tiles to be tested for lead. I just received an email that the white tiles contain no lead but the black ones tested positive for 'low levels' of lead or under 250 parts per million. So, does anyone know if I should start all over and get new tiles? I certainly do not want lead in my home where children will be visiting. Is the lead encapsulated? Is this an issue? Should I discard the tiles? More important, does anyone know what brand tiles I can buy for floor and shower walls that do not contain any lead? Thank you!

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Comments (2)

Nancy in Mich
5 years ago
It sounds like lead in the glazing of ceramic tile is not an issue unless you break the tile and send dust into the environment. So the tiler who installs it should wear a mask when cutting the tile, but you are not at risk having intact tile in a good condition in your home. The lead is in the glaze, fired at a high temperature and "melted" into the surface of the tile.

http://testudoonline.com/yes-there-is-lead-in-tile/

You know how I learned this? I did a google search. You can do that, too.
HU-870157674
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you Nancyinmich. I did do a Google search but did not find answers. I am wondering what flooring or tiles do not have any lead. I am wondering if 250 ppm is negligible or high enough to discard the tiles since children will be in the house. I have also asked this question at two tile stores and they were unaware of the issue of lead in tiles and could not help in any way with this.
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