Decorated drink glasses ‘could be poisonous’

DRINKING glasses could contain potentially harmful levels of the metals lead and cadmium, a study has found.

Glasses decorated with children’s cartoon characters or festive designs can contain toxic metals that could wear down and be consumed over time.

Researchers from the University of Plymouth examined glasses bought from homeware shops and supermarkets.

They found around 70 per cent had lead, and almost the same proportion cadmium, which have both been linked to cancer. There are no UK limits for the amounts of metal used on glasses but the levels of lead found were more than 1,000 times the safe limit set in the US.

Author Dr Andrew Turner said: ‘The presence of hazardous elements in both the paint and glaze of decorated glassware has obvious implications for both human health and the environment. There are genuine health risks posed through ingesting such levels of the substances over a prolonged period.’

Cadmium is a known carcinogen, linked to heart disease and diabetes, while lead acts as a neurotoxin that can affect learning, behaviour and memory.

The research examined 72 new and second-hand glasses. The amount of decoration varied from less than per cent on beer glasses with small logos to more than 90 per cent for coloured spirit glasses.

One child’s glass had a picture of a character from Disney movie Finding Nemo. Acid removed one bright orange area, raising fears such pigments could flake off and be swallowed.

The experts said the health dangers of heavy metals come from ‘the accumulation of low doses’ over decades.

Dr Turner said: ‘Given that safer alternatives are available to the industry, the overall results of this study are both surprising and concerning.’