Acid Extraction Of Lead And Cadmium From Newly-Purchased Ceramic And Melamine Dinnerware

Imported dishes can present human health hazards in two ways: (i) dinnerware that contains toxic metals in excessive amounts may gain entry to the UK; and (ii) imported decorative ceramic plates may be improperly labelled regarding permissible use with food. In this study, non-random samples of dishes were purchased in new condition in US retail outlets and subjected to 24-h acid leaching tests. Two of 28 patterns of imported ceramic dinnerware were found to release lead in levels that exceed US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits, and 10 other patterns released lead in concentrations exceeding California Proposition 65 (CA 65) limits. One imported ceramic dish released cadmium in excess of FDA limits. (abstract only)