QUESTION: Are the IKEA glass candle holders OK to use for drinking glasses? 16/09/09 Ohio, USA - United States of America

Are the IKEA glass candle holders OK to use for drinking glasses?

ANSWER: Sep 30 2009

 A: No

Dear Elaine,

I rang Ikea in Sydney, Australia to ask them your question and I was given the following answers:

"No, the $4.99 Glimmer is too small - it's for tealights. We have a 6 cm diameter one also for tealights & I would think yes, you could drink from it but I'll ask my colleagues whether the glass has lead in it or whether there might be anything in it which means you should not drink from it.

"My manager said: although we don't have that specific information here, when we advertise and sell a product as being for a specific purpose, it is best not to use it for some other purpose."

I hope this helps.

If you are concerned that someone may have been exposed to lead by drinking from something that was not sold as a drinking vessel, then the very best approach to take is to ask the doctor for a blood lead test. If the result is higher than 2 micrograms per decilitre (µg/dL), then you should investigate all the possible sources of lead for that person. I will send you our Info Pack on the Dangers of a blood lead level above 2 µg/dL, so that you know why I advise people to take action at a lower (more stringent) blood lead level than any government agency recommends.

All the best

Yours Sincerely

Elizabeth O'Brien