What Are the Dangers of Lead Drinking Glasses?
Lead glass, which is also sometimes known as lead crystal, is a type of glass that was used extensively in the past. While it allowed some beautiful examples of glasswork, the lead in the glass could leach into food and drink it came into contact with.
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Why Lead?
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Adding lead can make glass easier to work with, which was important to glassworkers in the pre-modern era. With modern technology, adding lead is no longer necessary.
The Risks
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Lead poisoning is a serious condition that affects most of the organs and body symptoms. It is especially severe in children and may lead to serious developmental disabilities.
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Avoid Lead-Based Containers
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Using lead crystal drinking glasses probably does not carry a serious risk, but storing things in containers made of lead crystal is much more dangerous, because the lead can leach into the contents over time.
What Should You Do?
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It is recommended that you avoid all lead-based drinkware, but a little exposure will probably not have serious health effects.
The Verdict
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While lead crystal may be beautiful, it is better admired from a distance than used at the dinner table.
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