Does anyone know anything about antique bathtubs?

Question

We're putting in a new bathtub and want to use a ball-foot tub from 1918 which we found in an antique store. Does anyone know what was used to put the enamel on these types of tubs? I'm basically just trying to make sure nothing toxic was used, as my one year old will be using this bathtub. Thanks for any information.

Answer 1

The only possibility would be that the glaze contains lead.  You can buy a test kit for lead or have the tube tested by a professional lead abatement specialist.  Even if the glaze does contain lead it will not be a real problem as the lead will leach so slowly into bath water that you would have to spend the rest of your life soaking in the tub to even begin to accumulate a toxic dose.