Lead and your Glassware
If you have been following recent health news, you may have heard of Proposition 65, a piece of
California legislation that aims to inform consumers of the potential health risks associated with a variety of materials including Lead. Below is a portion of that legislation:
SECTION 1. The people of California find that hazardous chemicals pose a serious potential threat to their health and well-being, that state government agencies have failed to provide them with adequate protection, and that these failures have been serious enough to lead to investigations by federal agencies of the administration of California's toxic protection programs. The people therefore declare their rights:
(a) To protect themselves and the water they drink against chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
(b) To be informed about exposures to chemicals that cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
(c) To secure strict enforcement of the laws controlling hazardous chemicals and deter actions that threaten public health and safety.
(d) To shift the cost of hazardous waste cleanups more onto offenders and less onto law-abiding citizens.
The people hereby enact the provisions of this initiative in furtherance of their rights."[1]
Beginning in the later half of the 17th century, when George Ravenscroft patented the technique and use of lead oxide in the manufacturing of crystal glassware, leaded crystal became synonymous with beautiful crystal. Lead oxide revolutionized the making of fine crystal. It was found to act as both a stabilizer and fluxing agent when added to silica, and drastically raise the refractive index of the glass. The result was crystal glass that far superior to unleaded glass in both brilliance and sparkle. Also, the addition of lead oxide to the molten silicon mixture not only made it more viscous and easier to work with, it also allowed the glassmaker to cut the material without cracking. Thus, the glassmaker was able to make finer, more elaborate pieces, with beautiful cuts and designs, free from bubbles and other imperfections.
Until recent years, most fine crystal wine glasses and decanters were made from leaded crystal and because of the apparent hardness and stability of glass, the lead they contained was not considered a problem. However, recent studies have shown that this is not the case. In a study conducted by North Carolina State University, it was determined that in as little as two days, Port wine stored in a lead crystal container, of 24-35% lead content, showed a lead level of 89 ppb. After four months lead levels in the wine rose to between 2,000 and 5,000 ppb. White wine was even worse having doubled its lead content within an hour of storage and tripled it within four hours. To put all this information into perspective, the EPA Lead standard for drinking water is 15 ppb. Also, generally the more acidic the liquid is in the container, the faster the lead is leached.
So what does this mean for leaded crystal glassware and decanters? It has become clearer that storing any wine or other acidic beverage in leaded crystal/glass will lead to measurable leaching of lead. However, does that mean we cannot enjoy a wine or other beverage in a container made from leaded crystal/glass? The issue becomes when is it too much lead? Personal preference will determine what level of lead, if any is acceptable. Much like
California’s Proposition 65, we are only trying to make you aware of the potential risks, and let you make the decision for yourself.
Thad Norlinger
-Cellars Wines & Spirits