New booklet lists lead-safe ceramic ware

Historically, ceramic dishware has been coated with a glaze containing lead that can potentially be leaked into food, be consumed and may cause clinical lead poisoning. However, due to California's strict laws controlling toxic substances, the use of lead glazes in the industry has significantly dropped. More than 8,000 patterns are currently lead-safe. The Environmental Defense Fund, who have sued multiple major ceramic-ware manufacturers for this violation, issued the latest edition of its brochure, "What You Should Know About Lead in China Dishes" which identifies lead-safe patterns and at home methods to check lead levels.