Can ceramic mugs leach cadmium and lead into your coffee?
Yes. Decorated ceramic mugs release cadmium and lead into hot drinks, with the amount increasing over repeated use.
What's actually in it
Ceramic mugs get their bright colors from glazes and paints that contain heavy metals, especially cadmium and lead. Older mugs, imported mugs, and handcrafted pottery are the worst offenders. The metals sit in the glaze that lines the inside of the cup, right where your drink touches it.
Hot, acidic drinks like coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are especially good at pulling metals out of the glaze. The hotter the drink and the longer it sits in the mug, the more metal leaches out.
What the research says
A 2025 study in J Hazard Mater measured the migration kinetics of cadmium and lead from ceramic mugs into liquid over multiple cycles. The results showed that both metals leached into the drink, and the amounts didn't stop after the first use.
With repeated filling and washing, some mugs released more metals over time as the glaze wore down. Acidic liquids pulled out more cadmium and lead than neutral ones. Hot liquids also extracted more than cold ones.
Cadmium damages kidneys and bones. Lead harms the brain and nervous system, with no known safe level. If you're drinking three cups of coffee a day from a decorated ceramic mug, the daily dose of these metals adds up. Plain white, undecorated mugs with food-safe glazes are the safest bet. Or switch to stainless steel or glass.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Migration kinetics of cadmium and lead from ceramic mugs. | J Hazard Mater | 2025 |
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