Lead Used in Glass Drinking Glasses

Lead is used in crystal glassware to enhance the way light shines through the glass and to give it the sparkling, diamond-like quality. The use of lead for this type of glassware has long historical roots, but in recent years concern has grown over the possibility of dangerous amounts of lead leaching into beverages from lead glassware.

Identification

• When lead is used in glassware, the piece is generally identified as crystal glassware. Varying amounts of lead are used in different types of crystal. To be identified as "lead crystal," European standards state there must be 30 percent or more lead contained within the crystal.

History

• The use of lead in creating glassware goes back to 16th-century Europe, where "glass of lead" was designed to resemble natural rock crystal. The sparkle and clarity of this new type of glass was considered a major breakthrough in the art of glass-making.

Effects

• When acidic beverages come into contact with glass lead, some of the lead dissolves into the liquid. Beverages such as spirits, wine and fruit juices have been shown to extract lead from crystal glassware. The longer the beverage sits in the glass, the more lead it extracts.

Considerations

• According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, children and pregnant women should avoid the frequent use of crystal drinking glasses that contain lead. Babies should not drink from lead glassware or use lead crystal bottles.

Theories/Speculation

• It is clear that lead does dissolve into some beverages from crystal drinking glasses. However, the amount that gets into a drink over the period of time a person usually consumes a drink--such as during a meal--tends to be low. Evidence shows that drinks stored in lead glass over long periods of time, such as in a decanter, tend to pose a greater risk.