Do ceramic-glazed mugs leach lead into hot coffee or tea?
Ceramic-glazed pottery can leach lead into your drinks, especially when exposed to heat or acidic liquids. Peer-reviewed research confirms that these glazes often contain lead that moves into your food.
What's actually in it
Many ceramic mugs use a glaze to create a smooth, colorful finish. This glaze often contains lead, a heavy metal that is toxic to the human body. When you pour hot coffee or tea into these mugs, the heat can cause the lead to break away from the glaze.
This process is known as leaching. Once the lead is loose, it mixes directly into your drink. Because coffee and tea are often acidic, they can speed up this chemical release. You cannot see, smell, or taste the lead in your mug, but it is there.
What the research says
A 2026 study in J Public Health Manag Pract found that cooking or storing food in glazed pottery leads to the release of soluble lead. The study shows that the combination of heat and acidic conditions makes it much easier for lead to move from the glaze into your food or drink.
This peer-reviewed research highlights that the materials used in traditional or decorative glazes are not always stable. When you use these items for daily tasks like drinking hot beverages, you are at risk of consuming lead particles that have leached out of the ceramic surface.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Leaching of Soluble Lead by Cooking Acidic Food in Glazed Pottery Sold at the Mexico-US Border. | J Public Health Manag Pract | 2026 |
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