Lead in alcoholic beverages: a second survey.

Results are presented of a survey of lead in beers and wines. Evidence of low level lead contamination of draught beer was found in an earlier survey conducted previously but remedial action initiated by the Brewers' Society has apparently been successful in reducing this contamination. The position in respect of lead contamination of wine is less satisfactory. Wine poured from bottles which have been fitted with tin-coated lead closures may sometimes become contaminated by deposits of lead salts produced by corrosion of the lead closure. Results of a survey of wines from lead-capped bottles show that for bottles sampled during 1985/1986 the lead concentration in 20 out of 100 samples exceeded 1000 micrograms/l (equivalent to the statutory limit for lead in wine of 1 mg/kg as sold). Such contamination could give rise to undesirably high intakes of lead. Action being taken to reduce exposure from this source is described.