A 鈥楶INT of heavy鈥� has taken on a new meaning. The latest progress report
of the steering group on inorganic contaminants in food, Lead in Food: Progress
Report (HMSO, Pounds sterling 5.80), says that 鈥榖eer and wine may make a
significant contribution to dietary lead intake and this is reflected in
the higher blood lead levels found for drinkers compared to non-drinkers鈥�.
Drinkers are at greater risk because for adults absorption of lead from
beverages 鈥榳as found to be approximately twice that from food鈥�. Beer and
wine drinkers suffer an added hazard in that 鈥榣ead in beer is absorbed more
readily鈥�, and the lead caps fitted to some bottles can contaminate wine.
The working group has found no marked decline in the amount of lead
in some fresh vegetables. This may be because there is much less lead in
the air the rural areas where vegetables grow. However, the report says
that removing lead from petrol has reduced blood lead levels in urban areas.
Advertisement
