Cadmium and lead concentrations in acid food simulants: the values of validation parameters are predominantly affected by interspecific differences of utensils

The obvious toxicity of cadmium and lead is at the basis of compulsory conc entration determinations for lixiviation solutions of ceramic and earthenwa re household receptacles such as cups, plates, bowls and others. Concentrat ions in the food simulant which exceed 0.100 +/- 0.005 mg Cd dm(-2) and 1.0 0 +/- 0.05 mg Pb dm(-2) for flat receptacles, 0.500 +/- 0.025 mg Cd l(-1) a nd 5.00 +/- 0.25 mg Pb l(-1) for low volume (< 5 l) receptacles and 0.250 /- 0.025 mg Cd l(-1) and 2.50 +/- 0.25 mg Pb l(-1) for high volume (> 5 l) receptacles are not acceptable and measures were taken by the EU member sta te authorities to enforce these norm concentrations. Generally, the uncerta inty on the results forwarded by the legislation amounts to 5%. This value does not at all match the pronounced variability observed f or several `ide ntical' trade samples, but rather represents the inherent variability of sp ectrometric analyses alone. Considering that the coefficients of variation can be as high as similar to 30%, either the ranges of acceptable concentra tions or the maximal allowable concentrations should be corrected. Aware of the negative health effects of heavy metal contamination and of the risk i ncrease due to dietary intake, a downward adjustment of the acceptable conc entration ranges to 0.07 mg Cd dm(-2) +/- 12%, 0.30 mg Cd l(-1) +/- 12% and 0.10 mg Cd l(-1) +/- 12% and to 0.8 mg Pb dm(-2) +/- 13%, 4.0 mg Pb l(-1) +/- 13% and 1.50 mg Pb l(-1) +/- 13% is suggested.