Should You Be Concerned About Lead In Antique Dishes?
It's unfortunately all too common to spot a gorgeous piece of vintage or antique serveware at a thrift store or estate sale and then wonder whether or not it's safe to use for dining purposes or if it's contaminated with lead. To find out, we spoke with Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD, a medical toxicology and hyperbaric medicine physician in Washington, D.C., who weighs in regarding whether or not you should always test for lead in older preloved pieces of servingware and dishes.
"Although the use of lead-based paint has been prohibited in residential settings since the late 1970s, people can still be exposed to lead through other products found in their homes," Dr. Johnson-Arbor says. "Cookware, dishware, and other kitchen items may contain lead-based glazes," she adds, noting that this is more likely to be the case as it pertains to items produced outside of the U.S.
When people use dishware or glass that contains leaded glazes, they are indeed at risk health-wise. "Glazes can break down over time, allowing lead to leach from the glaze into food and drink," Dr. Johnson-Arbor explains. "Heat and acidity enhance the release of lead from glazes, so consuming hot or acidic beverages or food from lead-glazed products may increase the risk of lead exposure from these items," she says, noting that cracks may also contribute to lead being released. This can result in lead poisoning, which is a bigger risk for young children but still something adults should aim to avoid.
As such, it may seem that the safest route to take is to test any antique purchases that you wish to use for food or beverage purposes using a lead kit. However, as Dr. Johnson-Arbor explains, the lead kits available for purchase by consumers are designed to indicate whether lead paint is or is not present within homes. "They may not accurately or reliably detect the presence of lead in other settings, including in dishes and servingware," she says. "For these reasons, home lead testing of dishes, cookware, or other products is typically not recommended unless the testing is performed by a certified lead inspector."
To stay on the safe side, consider repurposing items you are unsure about in ways beyond their intended use. For example, a chic drinking glass could double as a pencil holder on your desk, while a serving tray could be used to corral perfume bottles or nail polishes on a dresser. You can still give these beautiful vintage or antique pieces a new purpose in your home without bringing them into the kitchen.
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