Can painted ceramic mugs leach lead and cadmium into your coffee?

What's actually in it

Ceramic mugs get their bright colors from metal-based pigments. Red and orange glazes often contain cadmium. Yellow and some decorative glazes can contain lead. If the mug is fired at a low temperature or the decoration sits on top of the glaze (instead of under it), the metals aren't locked in. Hot, acidic drinks pull them out.

Lead has no safe exposure level, especially for pregnant women and kids. Cadmium damages kidneys and bones. Cheap imported mugs, novelty mugs with painted designs, and handmade pieces from uncertain sources are the biggest concern.

What the research says

A 2025 study in J Hazard Mater tracked how fast cadmium and lead migrated out of painted ceramic mugs into food simulants. The rate was highest in the first few uses and slowed down over time, but did not hit zero. Coffee, tea, tomato soup, and juice pulled out more than plain water. Boiling made it worse.

Lab limits for ceramic migration in the U.S. and EU are based on single-test averages. Real-world use involves thousands of cups over the life of the mug. Some mugs crossed safety limits within the first few brews.

Plain white ceramic mugs without decoration on the inside or rim are the safest. If the paint is inside the cup or on the lip where it touches your mouth, that's the worst setup.