RE: FiestaWare

["Tupin, Edward A. 301-827-1230 Fax 594-4760" <EAT@FDADR.CDRH.FDA.GOV>]

Fiestaware (at least the radioactive kind) used natural uranium in the 
glaze to get the brilliant colors (black, brown, green, and the whole 
yellow to red spectrum).  The NRC allows up to 20% by weight of the 
glaze material to be Uranium.  FDA has NOT approved any Uranium glazed 
products for food use.  Uranium has been found to leach from some of 
these items.  Uranium is also found on some glazed wall tile (green, 
yellow).

Combined beta-gamma dose rates up to 20 mrad/hr have been found.  
Certainly this stuff should not be used for food or drink, but his 
measurement seems pretty low, for a display piece.  Keep it on a shelf 
high enough so people won't handle it often.  See NCRP Report 95 on 
Consumer Products and Miscellaneous sources for more details.