pdt@mhuxv.UUCP (tyma) (12/19/83)
I believe that recent studies on lead poisoning in ancient Rome have centered on *winemaking* practices. I myself have never developed a taste for lead [ :-) ] but I understand that the presence of dissolved lead salts lends a certain sweetness; this may have something to do with the appeal of lead-paint flakes to the palates of inner-city kids. Apparently the Romans found that boiling strong-tasting young wine improved its flavor, but they almost always used lead or lead-containing pots to do it. The boiled (lead-contaminated) wine tasted better. "In vino veritas..."
rpw3@fortune.UUCP (12/21/83)
#R:mhuxv:-116200:fortune:2700007:000:222 fortune!rpw3 Dec 20 20:33:00 1983 Besides boiling their wine in lead pots, they used lead pipes for plumbing. They used to forbid women of child-bearing age to drink the wine. "Later this practice declined; so did the Romans." [tip-o-the-hat to Heinlein]
edelson@mhuxh.UUCP (edelson) (12/22/83)
Glazed ceramic articles sold for food use in the US have to pass
tests for lead solubility. This applies to articles manufactured in
the US as well as imports, where the testing falls under the aegis of
the US Customs Service.
Certain ceramic artwork (like plates, bowls, etc) which do not pass
this test will bear the mark on the bottom "Not for Food Use."
The things to watch out for are ceramics which are purchased out of
the country by tourists and are brought in beyond the range of normal
imports and escape this inspection.
If in doubt, a simple test can establish whether there is any ground for suspicion:
Place a drop or two of an acidic food (vinegar, lemon juice) on a
glazed area (preferably on the underside of the piece so that any damage
will not be obvious).
Let it sit for several hours and wash it off.
Inspect the piece for any dulling of the glaze. A sensitive way of
doing this is to try to write on the glaze with a soft lead pencil. If the
pencil marks the test area, it means the food has dissolved some of the ceramic.
This does not mean the piece is unsafe for food use, since the glaze
may not contain any poisonous heavy metals. To confirm whether lead is
present requires a further chemical analysis which is best left to
professionals. However, play it safe and put the piece away in the
breakfront to be looked at only.