Who doesn’t love a wall of beautiful ceramic tiles or cutlery? Ceramics have such an old-school charm, that they’re part of almost all good indoor décors. But a recent study finding will make you want to think twice before installing ceramics in your new home. Why, you ask? The study found out, that ceramics contain an element that increases one’s risk of cancer.
To add the bright pigment to ceramic tiles, a material called cadmium is added to them. But over time, as the decoration on the glass starts to flake and glaze on the ceramic fades, the possibility of ingesting the material increases, making it more harmful to the humans around and the environment.
The study conducted by the researchers in the University of Plymouth, UK also found that cadmium was found in other everyday household products like second-hand plastic toys, alcoholic beverage bottles, and drinking glasses. The surface of these items found more than the recommended level which is said to be ranging from 50 to 800 parts per million (ppm.)
Cadmium is also found in other ceramic items such as mugs, plates, and bowls that have the highest level of cadmium at 40,000ppm. Old plastic products have cadmium with a maximum 35,000 ppm.
"If you asked most people about cadmium, they would probably know very little about it. But it is listed among the World Health Organisation's 10 chemicals of major public health concern, alongside substances such as lead and asbestos," said Andrew Turner, Associate Professor from the varsity. However, Turner concludes by saying that the health risk depends on how easily the cadmium can flake off or leach off.
Looks like, we gotta stay away from ceramics and plastic bottles from now on!
