Crystal Manufacturers Take Hard Look at Study

In the absence of crystal standards, manufacturers are quick to remind consumers that their products meet all known health requirements. Even so, some of the best-known crystal makers are taking precautions in the wake of the Graziano-Blum study.

Although their study was not published until Jan. 19, Joseph Graziano and Conrad Blum were sharing their preliminary findings with glass-industry representatives last fall.

Steuben briefly suspended sale of crystal decanters and flasks. Steuben, which stopped making crystal stemware two years ago, still produces two decanters.

Steuben’s Meleny Peacock said that for more than 50 years, Steuben has warned customers about storing liquids in its decanters for long periods: “We cited aesthetic reasons . . . clouding of the glass and evaporation of contents. Now we are adding . . reference to the medical studies that are under way.”

She said warning tags would be on decanters within four to six weeks.

Other manufacturers have reacted differently.

“That’s Steuben’s position. I doubt it will be ours,” said Francois de Montemorin, president of Baccarat Inc.

“We intend to be an active participant in any further research here and in Europe. Our product was tested by French government laboratories in late 1990 and showed in all cases that any lead leaching from Baccarat crystal was well below current standards.”

The Comite Permanent des Industries du Verre, which represents about 90% of European crystal makers, has said the issue would be resolved only after conducting a program of scientifically controlled tests.

Lenox, the oldest American crystal maker, said its products pose no risks, adding: “Lenox will continue its testing program to ensure that its products remain safe.”

Although the companies point to figures that show lead migrates at a low, slow level from their glassware, Graziano claims such numbers have little meaning: “There simply are no reliable tests in the federal regulations.”