Helen Bates on fri 20 oct 00
http://www.parenthoodweb.com/parent_cfmfiles/pros.cfm?n=309
Hi all,
Just found this site (on parenting) and happened to do a search for "poison" and
found this exerpt in a longer article on the topic of avoiding childhood
poisoning.
I didn't reproduce it here, but iron is toxic to children if ingested in high
levels, such as might be obtained in iron supplements for adults.
Anyway, the lead poisoning part of the article is specific to ceramics, and
mentions that a lead test can be purchased at a hardware store, which I didn't
know before.
Helen
==============================================================================
Lead Poisoning
Although lead levels in food and drink are the lowest in
history, concern remains about lead leaching into food
from ceramic ware. Improperly fired or formulated
glazes on ceramic ware can allow lead to leach into
food or drink.
Long recognized as a toxic substance, adverse health
effects can result from exposure to lead over months or
years.
After a California family suffered acute lead poisoning
in 1969 from drinking orange juice stored in a pitcher
bought in Mexico, FDA established "action levels" for
lead in ceramic ware used to serve food. Over the years,
these original action levels have been revised as
research has shown that exposure to even small
amounts of lead can be hazardous. The last revision for
ceramic foodware was in 1991. On Jan. 12, 1994, FDA
published a regulation for decorative ceramic ware not
intended for food use, requiring a permanently affixed
label on high-lead-leaching products.
"Most lead toxicity comes from multiple exposure and is
a slow accumulation over time," says Robert Mueller, a
nurse and poison information specialist at the Virginia
Poison Center, headquartered at The Medical College of
Virginia Hospitals in Richmond. "Refusing to eat,
vomiting, convulsions, and malaise can all be symptoms
of lead poisoning." Because lead poisoning occurs over
time, such symptoms may not show up right away. A
blood test is the surest way to determine that your child
has not been exposed to significant amounts of lead.
"In general, if a consumer purchases ceramic ware in
the U.S. marketplace today, it meets the new action
levels," says Julia Hewgley, public affairs specialist with
FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. "But
if you travel abroad and buy ceramic ware, be aware
that each country has its own safety regulations. Safety
can be terribly variable depending on the type of quality
control and whether the piece is made by a hobbyist."
To guard against poisonings, Hewgley advises that
ceramic ware not be used to store foods. Acidic
foods--such as orange, tomato and other fruit juices,
tomato sauces, vinegar, and wine--stored in improperly
glazed containers are potentially the most dangerous.
Frequently used products, like cups or pitchers, are also
potentially dangerous, especially when used to hold
hot, acidic foods.
"Stop using any item if the glaze shows a dusty or chalky
gray residue after washing. Limit your use of antique or
collectible housewares for food and beverages," she
says.
"Buy one of the quick lead tests available at hardware
stores and do a screening on inherited pieces."
--
...........................
: Helen Bates :
: mailto:nell@quintenet.com :
...........................
Gayle Bair on sat 21 oct 00
Thanks Helen,
I have another question regarding lead.
Why haven't I seen similar warnings concerning
leaded glass?
My mother has a set of them and as I recall they
were quite prized and expensive.
Doesn't the lead leach out of that "fine" crystal glassware?
Gayle Bair
Snip>
Just found this site (on parenting) and happened to do a search for "poison"
and
found this exerpt in a longer article on the topic of avoiding childhood
poisoning.
I didn't reproduce it here, but iron is toxic to children if ingested in
high
levels, such as might be obtained in iron supplements for adults.
Anyway, the lead poisoning part of the article is specific to ceramics, and
mentions that a lead test can be purchased at a hardware store, which I
didn't
know before.
Helen
============================================================================
==
Lead Poisoning
Although lead levels in food and drink are the lowest in
history, concern remains about lead leaching into food
from ceramic ware. Improperly fired or formulated
glazes on ceramic ware can allow lead to leach into
food or drink.
Long recognized as a toxic substance, adverse health
effects can result from exposure to lead over months or
years.
Snip>
Cindy Strnad on sun 22 oct 00
Gayle,
Yes, leaded glass leaches. It's worse than leaded pottery glazes, and harder
to curb. Yet no one seems worried about it. I spoke with Monona about this
some time ago, and she said there were likely to be some standards on the
way, but it was more difficult for glass manufacturers to get the lead
leaching levels down that it is for pottery manufacturers.
They need that lead to get the crystal bright, and to give it that beautiful
ringing sound. It seems a bit hypocritical to me, that everyone and their
uncle is worried about lead in pottery glazes (in high-fire glazes, no less,
which never had need of lead), and yet you can find articles in high-class
publications about how to shop for lead crystal in the Czech republic
suitable for all manner of alcoholic beverages, and nary a warning in sight.
So, I drink my wine from glass goblets, though I have some very nice Czech
crystal. That is for water--occasionally. We do have the ability to rid our
bodies of small amounts of lead, but that doesn't mean we should put it to
the test. They're certainly not suitable for alcohol, in my opinion.
Cindy Strnad
Earthen Vessels Pottery
RR 1, Box 51
Custer, SD 57730
USA
earthenv@gwtc.net
http://www.earthenvesselssd.com
Lee Jaffe on sun 22 oct 00
Leaded glass can be a problem if there is prolonged contact.
People who work in glass factories or glass craftspeople are
at risk. Musicians who play the armonica (I think that's the
name of the instrument Benj. Franklin invented using crystal
globes mounted on a spinning shaft) monitor the lead in their
systems very carefully. In the past musicians who played
this instrument were known for going insane and it is now
believed that they suffered from lead poisoning. -- Lee Jaffe
>Thanks Helen,
>I have another question regarding lead.
>Why haven't I seen similar warnings concerning
>leaded glass?
>My mother has a set of them and as I recall they
>were quite prized and expensive.
>Doesn't the lead leach out of that "fine" crystal glassware?
>Gayle Bair
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