Migration risks in traditional metal
teapots
In Brussels, the use of a traditional teapot has led to cases of lead poisoning involving an entire family. Various
teapot samplings were carried out by the ISP (Scientific Institute of Public Health) in partnership with the Brussels
Intermunicipal Laboratory for Chemistry and Bacteriology and the FASFC (Federal Agency for the Safety of the
Food Chain), which proceeded with the withdrawal of these pots from the market.
The concentration of toxic metals (Lead and Nickel) migrating into the tea is a cause of particular concern and can
pose a serious poisoning risk. When looking at the measured values, it is clear that the use of these teapots can
lead to cases of acute lead poisoning.
Indeed, the exceedance of the lead and nickel toxicological reference values is very disturbing. Although the
assumptions made are not intended to be exhaustive, they demonstrate the possibility of exceeding the lead Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) by up to 90 times.
However, factors such as a longer seeping time (migration up to 9 times higher after 1 hour in comparison with 15
min) may aggravate the problem further.
The use of lemon can be an equally aggravating factor since the level of migration can be up to 10 times higher
than with a plain tea.
The sustained intake by vulnerable groups such as children (as in the case referred to above) is also worth noting
since the latter are even more sensitive than adults to lead poisoning (5 times higher assimilation).
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Table 1:
The following table illustrates, for the teapots analysed, the identified lead concentration, the ingestion based on
the assumption of consuming 4 cups per day and the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) percentage that such consumption generates.
Lead (assumption of 4 cups/day [800 ml]) and seeping time of 15 minutes in the teapot
n°
Type of tea prepared in the teapot
mg/l
mg/D
% ADI
Teapot n°1
Plain tea
1,74
1,4
650
Teapot n°2
Plain tea
0,84
0,7
314
Teapot n°3
Plain tea
0,71
0,6
264
Teapot n°4
Plain tea
0,18
0,1
66
Teapot n°5
Plain tea
1,19
1,0
444
Teapot n°6
Plain tea
0,10
0,1
36
Teapot n°7
Plain tea
1,49
1,2
557
Teapot n°8
Plain tea
0,32
0,3
118
Teapot n°9
Plain tea
0,20
0,2
73
Teapot n°10
Plain tea
0,34
0,3
129
Teapot n°11
Plain tea
4,90
3,9
1830
Teapot n°1
Lemon tea
23,97
19,2
8961
Teapot n°2
Lemon tea
9,10
7,3
3400
Teapot n°3
Lemon tea
8,30
6,6
3101
Teapot n°4
Lemon tea
10,21
8,2
3816
Teapot n°5
Lemon tea
13,12
10,5
4905
Teapot n°6
Lemon tea
1,07
0,9
399
Teapot n°7
Lemon tea
16,12
12,9
6027
Teapot n°8
Lemon tea
0,38
0,3
142
Teapot n°9
Lemon tea
0,42
0,3
157
Teapot n°10
Lemon tea
0,65
0,5
243
Teapot n°11
Lemon tea
17,60
14,1
6578
In a joint opinion (Sci Com 06-2011 and SHC N°8726) approved by the Scientific Committee of the FASFC on the
24th of June 2011 and approved by the Board of the Superior Health Council (SHC) on the 6th of July 2011, the
following was concluded: “Although only one in-depth study, including biomonitoring, has been able to unequivocally reflect the risk associated with the use of traditional brass teapots, we recommend advising against the
use of such teapots and the prohibition of their sale. Moreover, in addition to this type of teapot, other contact
materials (ceramic pots or plates, e.g. tagines), whose use is more culturally defined, have also been proven to be a
significant risk factor in terms of exposure to metallic elements (and to lead in particular).
Consequently, a targeted communication strategy underlining the risks of such contact materials is strongly
recommended. Moreover, the FASFC control programme should take into account the migration of metallic elements (lead, as well as other metals including nickel) from similar artisanal utensils (e.g. brass, enamelled cast iron)
and ceramic materials that come into contact with foodstuffs.”
Fabien Bolle, ISP
[email protected]
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