Is There Lead In There? Lead Aware NZ Can Help!

Did you know everyday items can contain lead? These beautiful glasses from my late Nana Dorothy are ones I’ve used for years - long before I knew about the risks.

Thanks to Lead Aware NZ, I can now have them tested to see whether they’re actually safe to drink from (my guess is they might not be).

With no safe level of lead exposure, and symptoms often developing silently, it’s essential to stay informed and minimise contact with potential sources like old paint, soil, lead lights, antique glasses, and even some children's plates and mugs.

Lead builds up in the body and interferes with the brain, nervous system, and vital organs. Even small amounts can cause neurological damage, especially in children, leading to learning and behaviour problems. 

In adults, lead exposure increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney damage, fertility issues, and weakened immunity.

Lead Aware NZ

Lead Aware NZ was founded in 2019 by Ananda Card, who started a small Facebook page after discovering multiple lead hazards in her own home. When routine testing revealed that her baby had elevated lead levels, Ananda tried to find help — but quickly realised there were no services available to guide families through identifying or safely remediating lead exposure.

Instead of giving up, she researched the issue herself, drawing on her strong scientific background to understand best practices for testing and remediation. She began sharing this information with other New Zealanders through the Facebook page originally called Lead Awareness NZ.

Three years later, it grew into Lead Aware NZ, now a nonprofit organisation and an important voice for consumer rights, better protections, and public education around lead exposure.

Today, Lead Aware NZ has evolved far beyond social media. It has become a movement of informed parents, engaged citizens, and advocates pushing for safer homes, clearer regulations, and greater transparency in New Zealand.

XRF Heavy Metal Screening

*Make a submission by clicking here*

Another exciting development from Lead Aware NZ is the introduction of XRF heavy metal screening, now available to the public. This service makes it possible for everyday New Zealanders to check whether items in their homes — such as vintage toys, colourful ceramics, second-hand cookware, jewellery, soil, paint flakes, or garden materials.

This is especially important for families, renovators, collectors, and anyone living in older homes where paint, soil, and household objects may still pose risks.

Lead Aware NZ offers this service on a donation basis, keeping it accessible to everyone. Each contribution helps cover the significant cost of running the instrument, while also funding free testing for early childhood centres, schools, and community events. Because the organisation operates under nonprofit status via The Gift Collective, all finances are transparent and no one is profiting from the service — the goal is simply to improve understanding of heavy metals in New Zealand and support safer environments for children and families.

Find out how XRF works - click here

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) is a non-destructive screening method that identifies the elemental makeup of a material within seconds. It’s an excellent first step for detecting heavy metals without needing expensive laboratory testing. 

Thanks to Lead Aware NZ, New Zealand finally has an accessible way for families, caregivers, and communities to understand what’s really in the items around them.

GO TO THE LEAD AWARE NZ WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE