In the last few years, I've noticed something shift in my shopping habits. As a long-time thrifter, I typically walk into the store and go straight to the clothing section to search for what will become my new favorite old outfit. Lately, however, I've found myself B-lining to the dishes. 

I get a specific burst of joy when I find a plate that matches a set I found at a separate thrift store or a crystal serving dish I can use at my upcoming wedding. A recent find was a set of plates that looked like they were from the '70s, and I use them nearly every night. 

One evening while admiring the design, I began to wonder what year, exactly, they were from. I became curious whether the large flower design that drew me to the plates could have been created with lead paint, given the fact that dishes seem old and lead paint was officially banned not nearly so long ago, in 1978.

Despite Google searching the name on the bottom of the dishes, I was unable to find an exact answer. I did, however, find a Reddit thread with dishes that looked strikingly similar to the ones I have, which helped put my mind at ease since Redditors said they were in fact from the '80s and most likely did not contain lead paint. But, I still wondered about my other dishes, such as the colorful teapot set I got in Manhattan's Chinatown last summer or the mugs I found on someone's stoop in a box labeled "free"? 

So, down the rabbit hole I went. 

Here's what I learned about vintage tableware and toxic lead paint.

How to test your dishes for lead

I decided the only surefire way to learn if there was lead in my dishes was to test them myself. Online there are numerous lead testing kits to choose from. I chose this lead test swab kit, because the listing stated that it was ideal for painted and ceramic surfaces and it had an average review score higher than four stars.

To execute the test, I dipped the specially formulated swabs in a glass of water, then rubbed them on the dish for 30 seconds and checked to see if they turned a dark maroon color, which would indicate lead. I started with a plate and was relieved when the swab didn't change colors. I then tried out one of my small, intricately designed teacups and the swab began to turn a dark maroon almost immediately. "Uh-oh," I thought. "I guess I won't be using these for a tea party with my niece like I planned." Next, I grabbed my ambiguous dishes recovered from a stoop and the painted design also tested positive for lead. I now know why someone was giving them away.

Should you use dishes that contain lead paint?

If you discover your dishes have lead in them, you should not use them for food or drink since there is a possibility they could leach into something you eat or drink. 

In 2021, the New York Health Department stated that there were 15 cases of lead poisoning in connection with "non-foodsafe clay pots, cups and dishes (ceramic ware) for cooking or serving foods and drinks," and urged New Yorkers to avoid using dishes with lead. 

While some dishes contain more lead than others, the test I used doesn't give a specific measurement, so it's better to err on the side of caution when it comes to lead since it poses dangerous risks. 

For children -- who are most at risk for lead poisoning along with pregnant women -- lead exposure can cause learning and behavior problems according to the New York City Health Department. For adults, it can "increase blood pressure and affect the brain, kidneys and reproductive organs," the department added. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "there are no safe levels of lead in the blood," and the best way to test for lead exposure is through a blood test. 

Lead paint was officially banned in the US in 1978. Dishes that are more likely to contain lead include glazed traditional pottery, dishes with intricate designs and dishes made before the mid-'70s.