02 Jul Decorative Alcohol Bottles May Contain Toxic Levels of Lead and Cadmium
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr Andrew Turner, PhD
Associate Professor (Reader) in Environmental Sciences
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: This study was part of a wider study to look at potentially toxic metals in everyday household and consumer products.
The main findings here are that many enameled bottles, mainly used to store alcoholic beverages, contain very high levels of cadmium and lead in the décor.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: While not a direct risk to consumers, there is a risk of environmental damage through leaching from landfill if bottles are disposed of. If recycled, levels of cadmium and lead could build up in recycled glass to levels of concern. There is a potential risk to people who work in the recycling industry.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: There are safer alternatives to these chemicals, as the analysis of some bottles shows, so the question is why dangerous paints and fluxes (to colour and fix enamels) still used in any consumer goods?
Citation:
Environ Sci Technol. 2019 Jun 27. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b01726. [Epub ahead of print]
Heavy Metals in the Glass and Enamels of Consumer Container Bottles.
Turner A1.
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Last Updated on July 2, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD