Any ceramic houseware product that is sold at retail must pass California prop 65 and Xtrema ceramic cookware and the Mercola healthy cookware which is both made by Ceramor are 100% lead and cadminun free and they are 100% green and healthy. Check out www.xtrema.com and www.mercola.com

Could anyone comment on findings in recent years that ceramic products leach lead? I'm citing in particular a Springerlink study from 2005 (see summary below). I'm trying to find the perfect cookware and do not want to make choices that inadvertently hurt my family...thanks for any input.Summary The amount of lead leached from various glazed ceramic was determined by extraction with 5% acetic acid for one hour at 85°C. All commercial ceramic items, both domestic and imported, were below the FDA standard of 7 mg/liter lead in the extractant. On the other hand, almost 60% of the domestic homemade ceramic items exceeded FDA standards. Comparison with previous studies show significant reduction in lead leaching from commercial ceramic containers. However, homemade ceramic items continue to pose a potential hazard of excessive lead release.

The Mercola healthy cookware does not contain any barium or lithium, I should know, I own the company that makes Mercola's cookware - www.ceramcor.com Some ceramic material and minerals that are used to make a ceramic glaze may contain barium and lithium oxides but please remember that for the ceramic material to become a solid it has to be fired a high temperatures. Most ceramic material and their ceramic glaze are fired at 900F but ceramic material and ceramic glaze is fired at 2500F. This extreme temperature burns off all the impurities and any oxides there by forming a solid ceramic mass that is completely healthy, green and non-toxic. We test our product for lead, cadmium, barium, lithium, iron, nickel and chromium and our product has and will continue to pass each and every test. Please note that if you use metal cookware of any kind that you should get it tested for heavy metal leaching. This heavy metal leaching can be toxic to your body. Thanks again and God bless,

You can buy Xtrema cookware piece by piece from the manufacturer at www.ceramcor.com. Shipping is free. If it explodes, well, at least you have a 50 year guarantee.

The patent for Mercola's "Healthy Cookware" surface coating, while not PFOA, does contain barium and lithium.The health effects of barium depend upon the water-solubility of the compounds. Barium compounds that dissolve in water can be harmful to human health. The uptake of very large amounts of barium that are water-soluble may cause paralyses and in some cases even death.Small amounts of water-soluble barium may cause a person to experience breathing difficulties, increased blood pressures, heart rhythm changes, stomach irritation, muscle weakness, changes in nerve reflexes, swelling of brains and liver, kidney and heart damage.http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/Ba-en.htm#ixzz0LAiKSYVY&DHealth effects of LithiumEffects of exposure to Lithium: Fire: Flammable. Many reactions may cause fire or explosion. Gives off irritating or toxic fumes (or gases) in a fire. Explosion: Risk of fire and explosion on contact with combustible substances and water. Inhalation: Burning sensation. Cough. Laboured breathing. Shortness of breath. Sore throat. Symptoms may be delayed. Skin: Redness. Skin burns. Pain. Blisters. Eyes: Redness. Pain. Severe deep burns. Ingestion: Abdominal cramps. Abdominal pain. Burning sensation. Nausea. Shock or collapse. Vomiting. Weakness.Effects of short-term exposure: The substance is corrosive to the eyes, the skin and the respiratory tract. Corrosive on ingestion. Inhalation of the substance may cause lung oedema. The symptoms of lung oedema often do not become manifest until a few hours have passed and they are aggravated by physical effort. Rest and medical observation is therefore essential. Immediate administration of an appropriate spray, by a doctor or a person authorized by him/her, should be considered.Routes of exposure: The substance can be absorbed into the body by inhalation of its aerosol and by ingestion. Inhalation risk: Evaporation at 20°C is negligible; a harmful concentration of airborne particles can, however, be reached quickly when dispersed.Chemical dangers: Heating may cause violent combustion or explosion. The substance may spontaneously ignite on contact with air when finely dispersed. Upon heating, toxic fumes are formed. Reacts violently with strong oxidants, acids and many compounds (hydrocarbons, halogens, halons, concrete, sand and asbestos) causing fire and explosion hazard. Reacts violently with water, forming highly flammable hydrogen gas and corrosive fumes of lithium hydroxide.http://www.lenntech.com/Periodic-chart-elements/li-en.htm#ixzz0LAiRMzMg&D

I agree. I had his previous line, but this is too much. I wish I could buy just a couple of pieces instead of the whole set.