Levels
The information presented here is, to the best of our knowledge, the current level or concentration of lead permitted in some selected products. Unless specified otherwise, it is assumed that EU regulations still apply in the UK after Brexit.
If you are aware of any other, or newer information, please let us know.
Blood Lead Concentration
Children ≥5μg/dL (≥0.24μmol/L)
Adults ≥10μg/dL (≥0.48μmol/L)
Lead Exposure in Children Surveillance System
Paint
Lead carbonate and lead sulphate are prohibited from use in paint. No levels are specified – The Environmental Protection (Controls on Injurious Substances) Regulations 1992, The Controls on Dangerous Substances and Preparations Regulations 2006.
Water
10 µgPb/l at consumer taps – Drinking Water Inspectorate
Soil
A DEFRA 2014 report quantified land that has a significant possibility of significant harm and defined the following screening levels for lead in mg/kg (ppm). These are ‘Category 4 Screening Levels’ (C4SLs) for when land is suitable for use and definitely not contaminated land. The legislative driver for dealing with historical land affected by contamination is Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
| Residential (with homegrown produce) | 200 mg/kg (ppm) |
| Residential (without homegrown produce) | 310 mg/kg (ppm) |
| Allotments | 80 mg/kg (ppm) |
| Commercial | 2300 mg/kg (ppm) |
| Public Open Space with soil tracked to housing | 630 mg/kg (ppm) |
| Public Open Space without soil tracked to housing | 1300 mg/kg (ppm) |
When related to blood lead concentrations (BLC) in children the DEFRA screening levels for lead in soil are:
|
BLC µg/dL
|
Intake µg/kg |
Residential – home grown produce |
Residential – home grown produce |
|
1.6 |
0.6 |
86 |
130 |
|
3.5 |
1.4 |
200 |
310 |
|
5 |
2.1 |
210 |
330 |
It should be noted that the mean background concentration of lead in England in urban areas is 276 mg/kg (ppm) (British Geological Survey)
Jewellery
≤ 0.05% lead. Crystal glass is exempted- EU Regulation No 836/2012
Ceramic Foodware
The regulations are derived from EU Council Directive (84/500/EEC) and apply to the amount of lead that can migrate from different kinds of articles using specific test methods. The Materials and Articles in Contact with Food (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (See Part 2)
| Plates * | 0.8 mg/dm2 |
| Dishes, bowls, cups * | 4.0 mg/L |
| Cookware, storage > 3L * | 1.5 mg/L |
* The legislation defines these types of articles precisely. These are approximations.
Food Contact Materials
Materials which come into contact with food must not transfer their constituents to food in quantities which endanger human health. However, the quantities do not seem to be specified – EU regulation No 1935/2004.
Toys
The EU Directive 2009/48/EC as amended by Directive 2017/738 was adopted into UK law as The Toys (Safety) Regulations 2011. The amount of lead that is permitted to migrate from a toy depends on the material. The migration test is specified in EN 71-3: 2013 + A3: 2018 and replicates immersion in stomach acid.
| Dry, brittle, powder-like or pliable | 2.0 mg/kg |
| Liquid or sticky | 0.5 mg/kg |
| Scraped-off | 23 mg/kg |