Determination of cadmium and lead in beverages after leaching from pewter cups using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Two simple methods have been developed to determine cadmium and lead in different kinds of beverages and vinegar leached from pewter cups produced in Brazil. Leaching experiments have been carried out with different solutions: beer, sugar cane spirit, red and white wine, vinegar and a 3% acetic acid solution. The solutions were kept in cups with and without solder for 24 h. Lead and cadmium have been determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium background correction. The limits of detection were 0.05 and 1.4 μg L−1, and the characteristic mass was 1.0 pg and 19 pg for Cd and Pb, respectively. With the developed methods it was possible to determine accurately cadmium and lead by direct analysis in these liquids and to evaluate the leaching of these metals from pewter cups. The results presented in this work show that pewter cups are not cadmium- and lead-free; this point goes against the manufacturers’ declaration that their products are lead-free.