Wine often contains toxic amounts of heavy metals, is the conclusion of a scientific study recently published in the peer-reviewed online journal Chemistry Central Journal. Declan Naughton and Andrea Petróczi of London’s Kingston University found high amounts of heavy metals such as copper, lead, magnesium and vanadium in all kinds of wine. Only selected wines from Italy, Brasil and Argentinia contained safe levels of heavy metals. The two British scientists used a method developed by the American Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Critics say this method is “not often used in Europe”. Heavy metals pose all kinds of health risks and can cause cancers and inflammatory diseases. One of the authors of the article told Decanter that he still enjoys wine, but that there is a need for “a regulatory push” by authorities. More studies are needed to determine how heavy metals pollute wines.
Heavy metal ions in wines: meta-analysis of target hazard quotients reveal health risks
Declan P Naughton, Andrea Petroczi
Chemistry Central Journal 2008, 2:22 (30 October 2008)