Glass bottles contain potentially dangerous quantities of heavy metals

According to the publication of Environmental Science & Technology, Andrew Turner, a scientist at the University of Plymouth, UK, has conducted research to show that glass bottles contain potentially dangerous heavy metals.

Andrew Turner, author of the study, is an expert in geochemistry and ecology. He said he was surprised to find high concentrations of toxic substances in popular products everyday and this is another example that humans have not used safe alternatives. Moreover, it is worrying about the risk of these compounds being released into the environment during processing.

Bottles of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages contain potentially harmful chemicals for the environment - (Photo: Reuters).

For research, bottles of beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages were purchased in local and national stores from September 2017 to August 2018. Sample sizes ranged from 50 to 750 ml. Of the 89 bottles analyzed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, in 76 lead and 55 bottles with cadmium.

Chromium is found in all green bottles and 40% brown glass bottles.Cadimi, lead and chromium are found in glass at concentrations that pose a risk to the environment and health are still considered insignificant. However, enameled bottles show cadmium concentrations of up to 20,000 parts per million. The concentration of lead in wine bottle fittings is up to 80,000 parts per million, while the limit of lead content in dyes, paint consumer products is 90 parts per million (ppm - parts per million).

The study also revealed that elements can be emitted from glass and glaze pieces. In an experiment simulating rain at the landfill, the release of heavy metals from some glass bottles exceeded US toxicity standards in the packaging law.