Welcome! My name is Melissa Hardison. I’m a proud mom and founder of Atom Score.
We screen consumer products for lead, cadmium, and other heavy metals using a handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer and we recommend non-toxic and eco-friendly products for busy families.
Information is empowering. It enables people to make better choices for their children, communities, and the planet. XRF technology is used behind the scenes to help manufacturers, retailers, regulators, and scientists. We changed the paradigm and use XRF technology to help you make better choices. Our XRF summaries are always free to the public.
For decades, Americans were lead poisoned due to the use of lead in paint, gasoline, and consumer goods. Although blood lead levels have significantly fallen in developed nations, lead is still a big problem. According to the World Health Organization, lead is responsible for a large portion of global death and disability, including intellectual disability, cardiovascular disease, and kidney disease. An estimated 1 out of 3 children worldwide are lead poisoned.
The products we choose to buy, use, and discard can have a big impact on people and the planet. The ongoing use of lead and lead compounds is a disaster for humanity, and we challenge leaders and businesses to acknowledge mistakes so we can build a better future.
At Atom Score, we screen old and new products to improve public awareness about where lead hides. Many families still own and use vintage and antique goods which can sometimes contain hazardous materials. These products were made before regulators and scientists were fully aware of lead hazards, and prior to current safety regulations for toys. Lead is still found in some new products and in public spaces. Our XRF testing casts a new light on heavy metals in our homes and communities.
We are a small minority-owned business and we’d appreciate your support. If you find our content useful you can help us by visiting our Amazon affiliate links (here’s a random product we like). Every time you start shopping for your usual items via our links it returns a small commission to us at no cost to you. We also recommend environmentally friendly, low lead, and lead-free products on Shop with Us. Interested in screening your vintage and antique products? Please contact us to learn more.
Thanks for visiting and we hope you’ll stay a while.