We received a 24 percent leaded crystal decanter from Poland as a gift. We would like to use it for a liquor decanter. Is it safe? Are we in danger of lead poisoning?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) report that there have been cases of lead poisoning stemming from the use of stoneware and terra cotta (glazed or unglazed ceramic jars). Usually, the culprit is lead-based glazing that's applied to decorate the dishes. These cases most often occur in china or stoneware that:

• is highly decorated — especially when designs are on top of the glaze or when the glaze covering decorations has corroded (Discard or don't use any dishes for food preparation and serving that show signs of having the glaze or decorations wearing off.)
• is hand crafted
• is very old (If any of these pieces are heirlooms, use them for display instead of dinner.)
• has glaze that has been improperly made, applied, or fired (heated in a kiln to fix it to the dish)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that ceramic dishes imported from China, where manufacturing practices may not be as carefully regulated, be vigilantly monitored for lead content. The Environmental Defense Fund web site lists Chinese ceramic dish manufacturers who meet U.S. safety standards. It also contains info about What You Should Know about Lead in China Dishes that names manufacturers and specific china patterns that use lead-free glaze.

For reader number two (last, but still leaded), beverages — alcoholic or non- — must not be stored in crystal decanters that contain any lead because this mineral can leach out into the drink. Acidic liquids, such as fruit juice or vinegar, increase the leaching effect. Your decanter will still be beautiful filled with colored water, or with your favorite beverage — right before the toast. Regular use of leaded crystal glassware is not recommended, particularly for children and pregnant women (because of lead's harmful effects on fetal development).

FYI, although it is possible to get lead poisoning from dishes and crystal, it's much more likely to be exposed to this mineral through lead-based paint. Lead particles can be released into the air and inhaled in the following scenarios:

• exposure on-the-job, which the CDC estimates causes 95 percent of lead poisoning cases among adults. At risk folks include painters, ironworkers, or other laborers, who repair or demolish steel bridges, railways, and storage tanks coated with durable lead-based paint. They may want to consider having their blood screened for lead.
• living in homes built before 1978. About 80 percent of all homes in the U.S. may contain lead-based paint. Residents are exposed to lead when these homes are renovated or when the paint peels or chips.

Children are more susceptible to experience lead poisoning because their bodies absorb lead more easily, and their developing nervous systems are more quickly and permanently damaged by the effects of lead. Health officials estimate that between 5 - 10 percent of American children have a harmful amount of lead in their blood. African-American and Hispanic children, as well as those living in poverty, are significantly more likely to have dangerous lead exposure. Poor nutrition makes children more vulnerable to the effects of lead.

At high concentrations, lead poisoning can cause seizures, coma, and death. Symptoms of low to moderate levels of lead poisoning include:

• decreased attention span
• hearing loss
• insomnia
• behavioral and emotional problems
• slowed growth
• reading and learning disabilities
• headache
• stomach pain

Because these symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for other problems, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children believed by their pediatrician to be at risk for lead poisoning (including those living in poverty or in older housing) be routinely screened. Some states have mandatory lead screening for young children. Since lead is stored in children's bones, building up over time to toxic levels, prevention and early detection of lead poisoning is crucial. A few drops of blood taken from a fingertip in a health care provider's office can be used to detect lead poisoning in its early stages, before symptoms and irreversible damage appear.

Lead test kits that can detect the presence of lead in drinking water, paint, dishes, or other surfaces are also available for sale on the Internet for about $10 - 50. Some kits contain chemicals that turn color when exposed to lead particles, while others allow you to collect samples and mail them back to a lab for testing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) offers a description and evaluation of some of the more popular lead home test kits on their web site.

Alice

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