Wine—an important source of lead exposure

Abstract

Blood lead levels in 32 male chronic alcoholic patients were measured and related to drinking habits. An external reference group and a group with previous high alcohol consumption served as controls. Blood lead concentrations were significantly higher (Pn = 17) than in the external reference group (57 ± 27 μg Pb/l, n = 35). The blood lead concentrations in the latter group were similar to those in the group with previous high alcohol consumption (55 ± 20 μg Pb/l, n = 15). Patients with excessive consumption of wine only (average intake 2.61 wine/day, range 1.3–4.5 1/day) had particularly elevated blood lead concentrations (149 ± 31 μg Pb/l, n = 5), whereas blood lead levels were close to the control value in patients with excessive consumption of spirits only (68 ± 28 μg Pb/l, n = 7). Furthermore, within the external reference group blood lead levels were higher in those who regularly drank more than 0.51 of wine on several occasions each week (96 ± 22 μg Pb/l, n = 6) than in those who consumed less wine (48 ± 20 μg Pb/l, n = 29). In a recent study of table wines sold in Sweden the average lead concentration in 84 samples was found to be 73 μg/l. Since the intake of lead via food in Sweden has been estimated to be about 30 μg/day, wine must be considered as an important source of lead exposure in persons who regularly drink large amounts of wine, as was reflected in the elevated blood lead levels shown in the present investigation.