Is lead crystal dangerous? Get the facts from a scientist!
The finest quality crystal from Waterford, Bacarrat, Lalique, Orrefors, and other prestigious companies has always been made with 24% or more lead oxide (PbO). Research in the 1990s found that lead can leach from crystal decanters and contaminate your whiskey, sherry, or wine. So, is lead crystal dangerous? And if so, what should you do about it? Update for 2023: now that the danger of lead poisoning is well understood, all modern crystal and glassware is manufactured without lead. Even the Swarovski company stopped using lead in their decorative figurines (in 2012). So lead is only a potential threat to … Read more