Lead in Italy ceramics?
 

We purchased ceramics trays and a wine pitcher in Assisi, that was made in Gubbio. The gentleman running the store mentioned that most of the ceramics were for display only, even though they were in the the shape of a dinner plate or covered casserole dish. He indicated that it was because of a low level of lead in the paint. Is anyone else concerned about this, or should I be? We do serve wine or water from our pitcher but in the back of my mind I keep thinking that I may be slowly poisoning my family and friends. Any thoughts?

As I understand it, there is lead in pretty much any colored ceramic paint. What I've heard is that you're okay as long as you don't 1) cook in the ceramic, 2) serve acidic foods in the ceramic, 3) store food in the ceramic.

There are very inexpensive lead testing kits available for home use. Use them to be safe. Lead poisining is a real problem in children but mostly from old paint. Most ceramicists I have talked to say lead in ceramics is a problem of the past, but I am always unsure. we buy mostly display pieces ourselves but just out of asthetics and not because we are paranoid.<BR><BR>

thanks Monica.

Dean, I have never seen such a kit. Where do you think I might find one? Maybe a well-stocked hardware store?

I have bought the kits at both Lowe's & Home Depot.

Lead in ceramic glazes can be a serious problem depending on the product. Often bright colors and high gloss appearances may indicate a high lead content. Appearance alone, however, is not necessarily indicative of potential danger. If you have any doubts at all, use the piece as a conversation starter and display it in a curio cabinet or elsewhere. There'a a good discussion about the lead hazard in pottery (and I differentiate pottery from dinnerware in this instance) at the following web site: www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/lead.html. This site also cites locations where lead release testing kits can be obtained.

I would definitely test the pitcher, especially if you serve wine in it. However, that said, unless the wine is stored in the pitcher, then your exposure would be minimal. Since lead can cause some pretty nasty side effects, though, I don't think I'd take the risk.