Determination of lead and cadmium migration from ceramic cups sold in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey

Ceramic kitchenwares has long been recognized as important a source of lead and cadmium poisoning. Lead, cadmium and other heavy metals are found to leach from ceramic kitchenwares in concentrations high enough to result serious health hazards. The aim of the this study was to determine the migration of lead and cadmium from ceramic cups sold in Afyonkarahisar. A total of 25 ceramic cups were purchased from different sources in Afyonkarahisar. These products were applied for 24 hours in 4% acetic acid test as directed in "Turkish Food Codex –Communiqué on Materials and Articles that are in Contact with the Foodstuffs (2002/32)" and lead and cadmium concentrations were determined by ICP-MS. The results of 4% acetic acid tests was found lower than legal limits of ABD, Japanese, European Union and Turkey policy. However, the future new legislation on this issue is coming with lower acceptable limits for aforementioned countries. Key Words : Ceramic, Cups, Cadmium, Lead, Migration