I conducted a study of lead in tile in 2021 and 2024.
2021 Results
In 2021, I chose 64 tiles from major retailers in the US and had them professionally tested with a handheld XRF down to 0.00 mg/cm2.
The 64 porcelain and ceramic tiles came from 14 brands and 5 major retailers in the US. Many of the tiles will be available in Canada as well.
The tiles were purchased from Flooring Inc., Stone Tile Depot, Build Direct, The Tile Shop, and Home Depot.
While there are no official limits on the limits of lead in tile in the US, I used a couple of benchmarks.
The first is the level of lead in paint that qualifies it as lead-containing paint. That is 1.0 mg/cm2; 3% of the tiles came in well above this level.
The next benchmark I used is 0.1 mg/cm2 (I actually used 0.09 since one tile came in that close to 0.1). This level of lead in mg/cm2 could still indicate a level of 500 (or more) parts per million (ppm) of lead.
How did I choose this level that I consider to be above trace? Soil contains 50-400 ppm lead naturally (so that can be considered to be trace, source here)
Positive Results:
Two tiles came in well above the threshold for leaded paint (the threshold is 1 mg/cm2):
- a multi bright blue scallop design that was glossy from a big box store came in at 3.3 mg/cm2.
- And a dark blue glossy from a lessor known online retailer came in at 2.8 mg/cm2.
Six more tiles came in tested between 0.1 and 1 mg/cm2 (the “above trace”): These tiles were:
- 0.11 mg/cm2 – A Linear Mosaic Dark Gray from a major brand
- 0.09 mg/cm2 (close to 0.1) – Lantern White from a major brand
- 0.1 mg/cm2 – Subway Tiles in Light Blue from a major big box store
- 0.23 mg/cm2 – Soft Pink Tiles from a more boutique shop
- 0.14 mg/cm2 – Hexagon Light Blue a more boutique shop
- 0.13 mg/cm2 – Matte Light Blue Subway Tile from an online retailer
12.5 % of the tiles contained 0.09 mg/cm2 or more lead in the glaze in 2021.
See the tiles that tested well on Substack.
2024 Results
In 2024, in collaboration with Eric Ritter, I XRF tested 32 tiles from Daltile, LL Flooring, and Fireclay.
The tiles were tested in parts per million (ppm) for lead and other heavy metals.
Alongside lead, some tiles tested positive for cobalt, chromium, titanium, arsenic and nickel (all Prop 65 chemicals).
The tile selection includes white subway tiles, all the bright colors from Fireclay and their neutrals, it includes stone look and wood look tiles.
This time I used the EPA’s new screening level for soil of 200 ppm lead as the cut off.
Positive Results:
- 1 tile tested over 600 ppm – a beige stone look tile at 4,844 ppm*.
- 13/32 tiles tested between 200 ppm and 600 ppm* which included wood look tiles, stone look tile, white tiles, black and white tile, teal tile, cement look tile, yellow tile, and a blue tile.
- 14/32 tiles tested between 14 ppm and 200 ppm*. Some of that is unavoidable due to naturally occurring lead in the clay part of the tile.
*The XRF testing results have a margin of error.
41% of tiles contained 200ppm or more lead in 2024.
Why Should We Care about Lead in Tiles?
While lead in tiles is not considered a risk when the tiles are in place (in almost all circumstances), the dust produced when cutting or demolishing the tiles could easily produce a lead risk.
Just as we are concerned about chipping and flaking paint, in my opinion, we should be just as careful with a product that is installed and demolished in a way that produces a lot of dust.
Contractors are rarely careful with this dust.
It is reasonable to choose to take lead remediation level precautions with all tile dust, however, that is impractical in the real world that contractors and homeowners live in.
How Does this Compare to Previous Results?
The amount of lead used in tile glaze seems to have gone down in US ceramic floor and tile between 2002 and 2012 when the Healthy Buiding Network saw a drop of 93.6% in heavy metals (Healthy Building Network).
In 2010, the Ecology Center tested 39 ceramic tiles for sale at Home Depot and Lowes. They found that 74 percent of the tiles contained detectable lead, with levels as high as 1,900 parts per million. (However, “detectable” here could mean anything above 0 ppm). (The Ecology Center)
In my 2024 test, 87% had detectable levels of lead (14 ppm – 4,844 ppm). Based on this, it does not seem that levels have gone down since 2010, but these are just small tests, so they are not statistically accurate enough to represent the whole industry.
See all my tile testing results from 2021 and 2024 on Substack.
Sade Adewale
Did your studies confirm lead is also in unglazed tiles?
Are ceramic and porcelain but have the same risk to having lead.
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
The unglazed side had some lead in some cases.
Mic
Purchasing home, ceramic tile tested positive for lead. Seller insist on 1) encapsulating, and buyer paying 1/2 cost. Buyer wants remediation – remove/replace tile by certified lead contractor. What would would you do?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
you dont need to encapsulate if tiles are intact and in place
Hailee
A few months ago my husband took out tiles in our basement. It was s small area of them, but there was a bunch of dust, and this is before I knew about lead in tiles. I’m guessing it went through air vents to the upstairs. I am going to wipe everything down, is there anything else I can do? Should I get tested for lead?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
You could check the vents for dust
Hailee
Just talked to my husband – it was actually bricks, not tile. Probably still not ideal, but I clean every week with a HEPA vaccum.
Eugenia Mirica
The model of XRF used is very important. Reporting in mg/surface area for ceramics is unusual. This is the type of reporting for organic coatings/paint. XRF systems reporting in these units are calibrated for organic coatings/paints, When used on ceramics (inorganic matrix), the difference in the density values makes the readings highly inaccurate. The XRF applicable for ceramics are more complex and expensive than XRF for paints.
MR DAVID J HADDAD
Hi Corinne,
Just clarifying that laid tiles are not an issue?
It’s when tile is cut, so the dust?
What if you scourer a tile whilst cleaning?
I used a hard scourering brush to clean grout haze off once laid.
Thanks
David
Corinne
You would have to create dust or ingest acidic liquids that have had contact with leaded tile.
Diana Forsberg
I would like to purchase this e-book. However, when I click on the link it brings me to the Etsy website that says “Unavailable.” Am I still able to purchase this ebook? Thank you!
Corinne
I’m updating the links in the booklet!
Corinne
ok, it’s back up on Etsy
Oleh L.
Good afternoon, I just installed new ceramic curtains and contractors cut them next to my bedroom. of course considerable amount of dust went in. I tried to contact seller as well as producer and no reply so far. Is there anyway I can test it? my 3 month old baby is safe in the hotel and I am very concerned about it.
btw. it is spanish tiles made in EU. I am not sure if they have any regulations.
Corinne
You can test the tiles or dust for lead, but you might as well just go ahead with assuming there is lead in the dust and clean it up accordingly, depending on how long you want to wait to test it. there is an article on testing tile and other items for lead.
Oleh L.
I did after construction cleaning. carpet was hoovered with powerful hoovers and as well deep washed walls wiped (bed also wiped). main bedsheets and mattress discarded. some bedsheets washed multiple times with sulfate detergent 3+ hours each wash. Windows cleaned and windows air vents hoovered and wiped where possible. entire house was cleaned “after construction cleaning” as well. is it should be enough or any additional action might be taken. what would you recommend? thank you very much
Linda Carelle
I have made several attempts to see your whole study on lead in tiles, but it doesn’t come up.
It is very important to my health the I buy non-toxic. lead-free tiles.
Thank you for your help.
Corinne
It’s a paid product on Etsy that I link to.
Jonathan Farrar
Is there one specific brand you recommend? Thank you
Corinne
yes in the booklet one brand comes out ahead
Oleh L.
Good afternoon, I just installed new ceramic curtains and contractors cut them next to my bedroom. of course considerable amount of dust went in. I tried to contact seller as well as producer and no reply so far. Is there anyway I can test it? my 3 month old baby is safe in the hotel and I am very concerned about it.
btw. it is spanish tiles made in EU. I am not sure if they have any regulations.