Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware

Sofia Steigner; Qiyang Zhang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

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Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware

Sofia Steigner

, Qiyang Zhang^*

Published in American Journal of Applied Chemistry (Volume 12, Issue 3)

Received: 21 May 2024 Accepted: 7 June 2024 Published: 25 June 2024

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Abstract

Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.

Published in	American Journal of Applied Chemistry (Volume 12, Issue 3)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
Page(s)	58-63
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Lead, Zinc, Cup, ICP

References

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APA Style

Steigner, S., Zhang, Q. (2024). Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware. American Journal of Applied Chemistry, 12(3), 58-63. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

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ACS Style

Steigner, S.; Zhang, Q. Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware. Am. J. Appl. Chem. 2024, 12(3), 58-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

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AMA Style

Steigner S, Zhang Q. Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware. Am J Appl Chem. 2024;12(3):58-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

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@article{10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11,
  author = {Sofia Steigner and Qiyang Zhang},
  title = {Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware
},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Chemistry},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {58-63},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajac.20241203.11},
  abstract = {Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.
},
 year = {2024}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware

AU  - Sofia Steigner
AU  - Qiyang Zhang
Y1  - 2024/06/25
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
T2  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
JF  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
JO  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
SP  - 58
EP  - 63
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8745
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
AB  - Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

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Author Information

Sofia Steigner

School of Science and Mathematics, Emporia State University, Emporia, United States

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-5279-2865
Qiyang Zhang

School of Science and Mathematics, Emporia State University, Emporia, United States

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2947-4010

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Steigner, S., Zhang, Q. (2024). Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware. American Journal of Applied Chemistry, 12(3), 58-63. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

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ACS Style

Steigner, S.; Zhang, Q. Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware. Am. J. Appl. Chem. 2024, 12(3), 58-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

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AMA Style

Steigner S, Zhang Q. Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware. Am J Appl Chem. 2024;12(3):58-63. doi: 10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11,
  author = {Sofia Steigner and Qiyang Zhang},
  title = {Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware
},
  journal = {American Journal of Applied Chemistry},
  volume = {12},
  number = {3},
  pages = {58-63},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajac.20241203.11},
  abstract = {Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Research for the Common Good: Unreliable Lead-Free Marketing for Tableware

AU  - Sofia Steigner
AU  - Qiyang Zhang
Y1  - 2024/06/25
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
T2  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
JF  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
JO  - American Journal of Applied Chemistry
SP  - 58
EP  - 63
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8745
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajac.20241203.11
AB  - Tableware often contains glazes that may contain lead and other toxins. Inadequate firing processes can result in lead seepage into food, posing health risks upon ingestion. 1. Besides glaze, the ceramic material itself may contain heavy metals, such as lead. Even exposure to very low levels of lead can significantly impact childhood IQ, which has been a public issue since the 1960s. Near-zero levels of exposure to toxins are essential to protect public health. 2. Health organizations have published recommended “safe” levels of lead and other toxins. For example, California Proposition 65: <0.1 ppm; Massachusetts 105 CMR 460.200 Lead Poisoning and Control: <2 ppm; Food and Drug Administration (FDA): <0.5 ppm for mugs. In this study, ceramic cups specifically advertised as lead- and cadmium-free were tested. While the primary goal was to verify the legitimacy of lead- and cadmium-free advertisements as an educational service to consumers, levels of chromium and zinc were also tested. Specifically, the level of toxins within the ceramic, the amount of toxins leaching into the consumable liquids, and changes in leached levels over time were investigated. Samples were examined by using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis. Our findings show a wide range of toxin exposure, indicating that the marketing is false.

VL  - 12
IS  - 3
ER  -

Copy | Download