International Crystal Federation XVII Technical Exchange Conference

Telfs, Austria – 9 October 2005

ICF POLICY ON DECANTERS ANDOTHER LEAD CRYSTAL STORAGE

VESSELS

ICF Voluntary Standards Compliance and Consumer Commitment Program

Requirements:Compliance with ICF/ISO leaching limits

Decanters (and other lead crystal storage vessels)

Graziano and Blum (1991):

Three lead crystal decanters filled with port wine.

•After two days, lead content is 89 micrograms per litre(µg/l).

•Over the next four months the lead content in these threecontainers rose to between 2,160 and 5,330 µg/l (mean of3,518 µg/l ).

Two brandies that had been stored in lead crystal for over five years found to have lead levels as high as 21,500 µg/l (mean of 7,718 µg/l).

Proposition 65

People v. Baccarat (decanters)

Mangini v. Action Industries (all crystal tableware)

Health Canada, Lead Crystalware and Your Health

“Tests show that the amount of lead in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages when consumed from a crystal glass during a meal is usually well below 0.2 parts per million, the maximum lead concentration allowed in food and beverages in Canada. However, lead concentrations of up to 20 parts per million – 100 times higher than the Canadian limit – have been found in wines kept for weeks in crystal decanters . . . .

There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure to lead and cadmium:

Use crystalware only when serving Store food or beverages in lead-free containers . . .”

(From http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/iyh-vsv/prod/crystal_e.html.)

VRAL Anticipated Conclusions

HEALTH

Consumer Exposure – no risk

•Decorative crystalware (i.e. that not used in food contact applications)•Flat crystalware (dinner plates, bowls etc)

The following applications result in a low level of exposure to the consumer which is not expected to result in an unacceptable risk. . . :

•Crystal stemware (e.g. wine glasses)•Crystal decanters used for short term storage of drinks (not exceedingone day).

Consumer Exposure – hypothetical risk requiring further quantification

Exposure to lead from use of the following products may hypothetically result in an unacceptable risk. However the data available to the authors of the risk assessment reports is insufficient to draw a firm conclusion at the present time:

•Lead crystal decanters used for the long term storage of drinks

PREPARING TO USEYOUR CRYSTAL FOR THE

FIRST TIME

An easy way to remove product labels is through use of hot air from a hair dryer. If a gummy residue remains, you can remove it with a soft cloth and nail polish remover. Sharp objects may scratch the crystal’s surface.

Before using new crystal storage vessels, such as decanters and pitchers, observe the following steps.

A. Fill with a room temperature solution of 50% vinegar or citric acid (i.e.

lemon juice) and 50% water.

B. Let stand for 24 hours.

C. Empty and rinse with warm water.

This procedure will remove any residue from production, shipping or storage and properly prepare crystal for washing.

Hand wash, using mild detergent and warm water before using to serve food or beverages.

Change liquid contents of all crystal containers frequently. This will help preserve the product’s finish, avoid film buildup and the chemical erosion of the crystal’s interior surface.

STORING FOODOR BEVERAGES

IN YOUR CRYSTAL

Avoid storing food or beverages in crystal containers for extended periods of time.

Change liquid contents of all crystal containers frequently. This will help preserve the product’s finish, avoid film buildup and the chemical erosion of the crystal’s interior surface.

ICF Voluntary Standards Compliance and Consumer Commitment Program

Requirements:

Current::

•Compliance with ICF/ISO leaching limits

Proposed:

•Crystal storage vessels that are not specially treated must be packed with a brochure that contains the essential information in the ICF’s Care and Use Guide

Proposed labeling language:

Please read enclosed booklet before use

OR

Before using, please clean this item by filling with a 50/50 solution of room temperature water and vinegar or lemon juice.  Let stand for 24 hours, drain and rinse before washing with mild detergent and warm water.

Avoid storing food or beverages in this item for extended periods of time.

“Lead crystal storage vessels”

• INCLUDES anything with a stopper or other closure (e.g., a stoppered decanter or an oil and vinegar cruet), crystal bowls and pitchers

• DOES NOT INCLUDE uncovered decanters or carafes used for decanting

and serving wine

The ICF: our past history, our success stories and current areas of work

Where we are coming from and where we are headed

• A document that talks about our past history to allo wnew generations become familiar with our work

• A docuement that highlights are the areas we are involved in to ensure that governmental bodies are constantly kept upto date with the progresses of the industry.

Index of performance» General

• Are you happy with the work the ICF is performing on your behalf?

• Are there new directions we should pursue?» Specific

• Are your pleased with the organisation of the XVII Technical Exchange Conference?

• Are we offering good value for money?• Do your find the quality of the papers up to your

expectations?• Do you have recommandations in view of the

next Conference?

2004 Conference on Ceramic and Glass

• A conference promoted by CPIV in Brussels and sponsored by DG Enterprise in order to ensure s sustainable future for two industries that have marked the history of craftmanship in Europe and consist of SMEs.