speaking of lead.. how unsafe are

[texaspeach]

my nice crystal glasses? they're lead crystal.

should I be worried about it?

[kama'aina mama]

http://www.villagekitchen.com/mfg/ar.../leadcrys.html

Studies show that acidic beverages such as port or wine will dissolve more lead from crystal than less acidic drinks like scotch or vodka. SNIP Tests show that the resulting lead levels in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are usually well below 200 parts per billion -- the maximum allowable lead concentration in Canadian beverages. SNIP By contrast, beverages stored in crystal decanters can accumulate very high levels of lead. Scientists have found lead concentrations of up to 20 parts per million - 100 times higher than the Canadian limit - in wines kept for weeks or months in crystal containers.

So, glasses, probably fine. Decanters for long term use (instead of brief decanting of a bottle of wine) no.

[AngelBee]

I never knew that!

[SleeplessMommy]

"Lead" crystal is about 25% lead by weight. That being said, I am totally OK with drinking wine out of crystal goblets (not that I own any). Storage of anything in a decanter is out of the question, though, as the pp mentioned. We have the useual large crystal vases for flowers, and enjoy them :-)