Earthenware Containers as a Source of Fatal Lead Poisoning

Abstract

Two young children suffered lead poisoning as a result of drinking juice stored in a modern handmade earthenware jug. One of the children died. Subsequent testing of 264 contemporary earthenware glaze surfaces revealed that 50 per cent released sufficient lead to make them unsafe for culinary use. Between 10 and 25 per cent of the pieces tested would have been capable of causing severe lead poisoning. Compounding of safe earthenware glazes is essential.