Last November, the Higher Institute of Health, part of the Italian Ministry of Health, held a "study day" to discuss the health risks involved in the use of lead crystal in contact with food. A team of experts from the medical and glass fields presented the results of research and experiments to examine the levels of lead absorption by various liquids kept in crystal containers and to assess the likely risks to the consumer. Also discussed was the need for European-level legislation to guarantee the safety of the consumer, and to establish guidelines for crystal makers. The conclusion to this was that even the highest amounts of lead found to be absorbed (in the case of newer crystal subjected to the least number of washing cycles) represented a small percentage of the tolerable daily intake for the average adult.
