title: Effect of microwave heating on leaching of lead from old ceramic dinnerware.
abstract: When samples of pre-1950s U.S.-made ceramic dinnerware, purchased in antique shops and flea markets, were filled with 4% acetic acid or 0.5% citric acid and heated in a microwave oven for 2-5 min, lead was leached in amounts of up to 5 mg per dish. Concentrations of lead in the leachates were not significantly correlated with, and could not be predicted from, concentrations in leachates measured during 24-h room temperature acid leaching tests. Unsafe lead concentrations (>3 microg/ ml) were found in microwave leachates of dishes with uranium-containing glazes, with copper-containing glazes, and with floral over-the-glaze decals. This evidence suggests that use of such dishes to microwave common foods could result in the ingestion of dangerously large amounts of lead.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Southwest Missouri State University, Springfield 65804, USA.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Sheets
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Turpen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hill
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D019343:Citric Acid; D003297:Cooking and Eating Utensils; D005506:Food Contamination; D007854:Lead / Q000032:analysis*; D008872:Microwaves
chemical_list: D019343:Citric Acid; D007854:Lead; D019342:Acetic Acid