The release of nickel and other trace elements from electric kettles and coffee machines

The release of nickel, chromium and lead from electric kettles to water und er conditions simulating regular household use was investigated. Ten out of 26 kettles sold on the Danish market released more than 50 mu g/l nickel t o water, whereas neither lead nor chromium was released in any significant amount. Fifty mu g/l of nickel in water was chosen as the threshold of acti on, because concentrations below this value were considered unlikely to pro vide outbreaks of eczema for those consumers suffering from contact allergy to nickel, who are also sensitive to the content of nickel in the diet. Th is first part of the study was followed up by a dialogue between the kettle producers and the Danish authorities, leading to a change of construction or design for those kettles that did not comply with the criteria. As a fol low-up study another ten kettles were studied to check whether compliance w as improved. Two of these ten kettles still released more than 50 mu g/l ni ckel to water under the test conditions. These two kettles, however, were s ubsequently withdrawn from the market. Coffee machines tested similarly did not release aluminium, lead, chromium or nickel in quantities of any signi ficance.