University of Plymouth researchers examined glass & enameled decorations on a variety of colored & clear bottles of beer, wine & spirits. They found that they contain potentially harmful levels of toxic elements like lead & cadmium. These toxic elements were found in the glass & the enameled decorations. The glass concentrations were found to have low levels, but the enamels were of great concern, The limit for lead paint is 90 ppm (parts per million), & the enamels contained lead concentrations up to 80,000 ppm. Cadmium concentrations were found to up to 20,000 ppm. Let’s translate that into EPA National Drinking Water Regulations, which states the maximum containment level goal for lead is zero ppm & cadmium set at .005 ppm. 

“The study also showed the elements had the potential to leach from enameled glass fragments, & when subjected to a standard test that simulates rainfall in a landfill site, several fragments exceeded the US Model Toxins in Packaging Legislation & could be defined as “hazardous”. “

Dr. Turner, Associate Professor in Aquatic Geochemistry & Pollution Science, who researched & published this study said,  “It has always been a surprise to see such high levels of toxic elements in the products we use on a daily basis. This is just another example of that, & further evidence of harmful elements being unnecessarily used where there are alternatives available. The added potential for these substances to leach into other items during the waste & recycling process is an obvious & additional cause for concern.”