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  • INFORMATION: Is it Lead Free Pewter?

Is it Lead Free Pewter?

Tests show discrepancies in
manufacturer claims of some components

In February of this year, while researching pewter alloys to analyze technical qualities such as strength and ability to take a polish, we tested sample components marketed as "Lead Free Pewter" from several retail sources. The results did not match these claims (see below). Though our sample size was small, we think the results illustrate the need for continued education, testing and diligence in the industry.

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Is it Pewter?

Tin Content
900,000 ppm
required

Is it Lead Free?

Lead Content
500 ppm limit
for "lead free"

A
900,000 ppm
4,700 ppm
B
900,000 ppm
3,500 ppm
C
990,000 ppm
1,300 ppm
D
980,000 ppm
3,500 ppm
E
22,000 ppm
less than 40 ppm
F
970,000 ppm
5,000 ppm
G
990,000 ppm
11,000 ppm
H
60,000 ppm
less than 40 ppm
I
850,000 ppm
5,400 ppm
J
800,000 ppm
8,000 ppm
K
780,000 ppm
4,700 ppm
L
580,000 ppm
3,700 ppm
M
790,000 ppm
3,700 ppm
N
920,000 ppm
3,700 ppm
O
65 ppm
less than 50 ppm
P
98 ppm
less than 50 ppm
Q
450 ppm
less than 100 ppm
R
less than 50 ppm
less than 40 ppm
S
less than 30 ppm
less than 500 ppm
T
30 ppm
240 ppm

KEY

PPM=Parts Per Million

NOT PEWTER
To be presented as pewter,
a product must contain at
least 90% tin (900,000 ppm)
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INFO
NOT LEAD FREE
The industry accepted
standard is no more than
500 ppm lead by weight.
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INFO
NOT PEWTER OR LEAD FREE

ANALYSIS

In this limited sample test, the majority (65%) of the "lead free pewter" components tested were not actually pewter. Furthermore, of the 35% that were pewter, none were lead free.