Lead in table wines on the Swedish market

The levels of lead in 67 different table wines on the Swedish market in 1982 and 1986 have been determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The mean level found was 73 micrograms/l (range 16-170 micrograms/l). Little difference was found between the levels in red, white and rosé wines (mean levels 76, 75 and 65 micrograms/l, ranges 16-120, 34-170 and 35-120 micrograms/l respectively). The average daily dietary intake of lead by adults in Sweden has been estimated to be about 30 micrograms, excluding any contribution from wines and spirits. The average adult per capita consumption of wine is about 45 ml per day. This would thus give an additional intake of about 3 micrograms of lead and the intake of lead could be doubled by consuming half a litre of wine daily.