Unfortunately, lead is common in hardware including knobs, pulls, and door knobs. Based on testing from Tamara Rubin, we have learned that so many knob materials contain lead that it’s impossible to make generalizations about which metals will be lead-free.
However, through her testing, through the reputation of a few select companies, and with a couple of select materials that are unlikely to contain lead, I have a few options to recommend.
A Prop 65 warning could indicate lead (usually found in brass and also in many other metals as well as ceramic/porcelain), nickel (found in nickel finishes and stainless steel), cadmium (found in brass and ceramic glazes), mercury (found in some metals), antimony (found in leaded crystal/glass), or chromium (found in chrome).
Lead-Free Options
Home Depot Defiant Brandywine Collection Stainless Steel Finish Door Knob Set. Tested lead-free in all accessible components by Tamara Rubin in 2019 (source).
Defiant Doorknob Lock & Handle Set, Naples Collection. Tested lead-free in all accessible components by Tamara Rubin in 2019 (source).
Kwikset sliver-colored door handle, no SKU or way to precisely identify it, tested lead-free by Tamara Rubin in 2019 (source).
Not Likely To Contain Lead (I would use these)
1. IKEA has been lead-free with all their products for a long time now (based on XRF testing by Tamara Rubin and Natural Baby Mama and the company’s statement). They seem to be really reliable on this matter. I would trust all knobs/pulls/hardware from IKEA. They say all products are free of lead, which should include their brass.
2. Acrylic Plastic Pull from Signature Hardware, and other acrylic plastic options would not likely contain lead.
3. Wooden Cabinet Knob from Signature Hardware, and all other wood and rattan options would not likely contain lead.
4. Wood and Rattan drawer knobs would not likely contain lead.
5. Defiant brand doorknobs – based on the testing of two of these in 2019 (above) there is a good chance this brand’s door knobs in nickel and stainless steel are all lead-free.
6. House of Antique Hardware makes a couple of lead-free crystal knobs, according to the company. However, the brass components would very likely contain lead.
7. Hardware International says “We guarantee that all of our cabinet hardware products are made from lead-free solid bronze.”
8. Oak And Forge (UK) makes lead-free pewter knobs and handles, according to the company.
Can Contain Lead
1. Brass – it’s possible to make brass without lead but the vast majority of brass out there does contain high amounts of lead. Coatings on the brass can stop the transfer of lead but they do also wear down with time.
2. Chrome – chrome doesn’t usually contain lead but if the metal is not 100% known it can. A knob that looks like chrome from the photo can contain low levels of lead (source).
3. Nickel – does not usually contain lead but “nickel-plated” products can have brass underneath which tends to contain lead, often in high amounts (source). It’s also possible for something just labeled nickel to contain lead (source).
4. Stainless Steel – stainless steel is often lead-free but it can contain lead.
5. Matte Black Finish – it’s possible for a matte black finish to contain a low amount of lead (source) or mercury (source). Black “iron look” door handles can also be positive for lead (source).
6. Glass Crystal Knobs – leaded glass is still used for knobs, and it’s not necessarily only in the vintage style (source). It’s also possible that the metal or brass components could contain lead (like this one).
7. Ceramic/Porcelain– as I saw in my own XRF testing of tiles, ceramic coatings can definitely contain lead. Tamara has also tested a few ceramic knobs that tested positive for lead. It is also possible for ceramic to be totally free of lead. Bright colors like blues and reds are more likely to contain lead.
Corinne Segura holds certificates in Building Biology, Healthier Materials and Sustainable Buildings, and more. She has 10 years of experience helping others create healthy homes.
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Clark
Hi,
After spending days and a ridiculous amount of hours looking online researching this topic, I came across a brand called Linnea (https://linnea-home.com). They make stainless steel hardware including knobs/levers and pulls. While definitely not inexpensive, they utilize PVD to color their products. We purchased their satin brass pocket door locks and pulls, and while not the best method, used a generic 3M lead test bought at Home Depot to test it. It came back negative, so we kept them. In the future, I plan on renting an XRF analyzer from a local company in SoCal to go through our house thoroughly, and will happily send along any results whenever I do this.
I had even emailed/called the company asking if the PVD coating had any heavy metals (the stainless steel is also visible if you scratch the door handle hard enough – not ideal but still beautiful pieces). The rep I both emailed and spoke with on the phone was not well versed so they reached out to their product team, and ultimately came back with a general “no, no lead”. I never received a letter or written email confirming from any knowledgeable individual at the company, so to anyone reading this, take from that what you will.
For us, we REALLY wanted the brass color but with kids in the house, we ultimately decided the cost was worth the peace of mind.
Now if only they made faucets…
Anya
Hi Corinne, I know you mention in the article the knobs/pulls/hardware from IKEA (potentially with the exception of brass) should be lead free. Would this mean that their black steel/solid iron rod with a powder coating on it are also lead-free?
Corinne Segura, Building Biologist
yes
Sarah
Glass! They have a large selection of glass knobs that are very reasonably priced at D. Lawless Hardware (brick and mortar store and also online). Another bonus to glass knobs is you can disinfect them using rubbing alcohol w/o any risk to the finish.
Leslie Vergara
Hi Corinne,
What do you do out and about if you touch a doorknob that looks to contain bass and you can’t wash your hands immediately? Is that one exposure going to cross contaminate personal items like a car? Thank you
Corinne Segura
Here is some information on that https://vhcb.org/our-programs/healthy-lead-safe-homes/lead-poisoning-prevention/lead-in-keys
I don’t know the cross contamination amount.
Sabrina
Just as a point of clairifcation, Waterstone products are made with “lead free brass,” which is not the same as zero lead. It still contains lead, in the amount of 0.25%, which is quite a lot. This is why I rejected their faucets for my home. It’s deceptive advertising on Waterstone’s part, and so I can’t really trust the company.
https://wieland-chase.com/c69300-eco-brass/
We do love the glass knobs from House of Antique Hardware! They’re so beautiful. But now I’m wondering if the bolts themselves are brass with a nickel finish…or actual nickel! Ack! I’ll ask.
Corinne Segura
thank you
Victoria
On the Wieland site that you posted, it says the products ate lead free* but at the bottom asterisk says its complies with the .25% weighted average – does that mean they also may contain .25% and therefore is just as high as the Waterstone products you mentioned?
Corinne Segura
the wieland eco brass is the brass used by waterstone and it can contain up to .25% lead
Corinne Segura
also see the article on 100% lead free faucets because this is off topic for this post