Lead and cadmium from foodware: Chemistry, fate, and human exposure.

Abstract

Lead and cadmium, commonly used as components in ceramic glazes and foodware glass enamel may be mobilized upon contact with food and beverages. The present study estimates human exposure to lead and cadmium released from foodware, with emphasis on children and pregnant women. An experimental system was developed to detect the amounts of lead and cadmium released from selected enamels, as a function of such factors as surface conditioning, temperature, and type of beverage. The metal release data, together with behavioral considerations were used to assess amounts of ingested cadmium and lead, and the corresponding blood levels. This study also included an investigation of potential exposure of an ethnic community to lead releases from glazed earthenware, commonly used for drinking coffee. Lead and cadmium released from foodware enamels were dependent on the kind of enamel, type of beverage, enamel aging, and temperature. High rates of release were observed with aging, and higher temperatures. Exposure models were used to calculate the amounts of metal transport, intake, and blood levels, based on children behavioral patterns. The beverages used were orange juice, coca cola, and milk. Results clearly suggest that metal releases from foodware enamel can pose significant health risk to preschool children. An ethnic population of Lebanese/Syrian pregnant women and women in the childbearing age living in Ann Arbor, Michigan, were investigated in an attempt to determine exposure and health risk of using decorated coffee cups and mugs. Results show high level of release of lead from imported coffee cups, especially in the decorated lip-rim area. It was concluded that this exposure poses a potential health risk. This study provides sufficient evidence for the development of appropriate regulations for the control of colored glazed enamels used in glass tumblers, mugs, and coffee cups.