Q:

How do I know if there’s lead in my dishware, and what should I do to avoid it?

A:

Lead, found in glazes on dishware, is a toxic substance that accumulates in your body, so even small amounts can pose a health hazard over time. Some types of dishware are more likely to contain lead. These include:

• China handed down from a previous generation or found in antique stores and flea markets.
• Traditional glazed terra cotta ware made in some Latin American countries, such as Mexican bean pots,    unless they are specifically labeled as lead-free.
• If you can feel the decoration when you rub your fingers over it, or see brush strokes above the glaze surface.
• Decoration that has begun to wear away or corrode or one that has a dusty or chalky grey residue on the glaze after the piece has been washed.                   

If you are concerned, the only way to be certain is to use glass dishes without decoration, buy dishes labeled “lead-free”, or do a home lead test on your existing dishes. Simple test kits, costing approximately $20-$30 apiece, are available by mail and in most hardware and paint stores. They will detect only relatively high lead-leaching potential.

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