When you drink your next cup of...

When you drink your next cup of cappuccino, keep in mind that china mugs can release lead. So can China dishes. In fact, the only types that you can be sure are safe are clear glass, stoneware without painted or decal-type decorations on the surface, and lead-free and certified low-lead china. If you have any doubts about your dishes, the Environmental Defense Fund in conjunction with the California Department of Health and the Office of the California Attorney General has just prepared a new consumer’s guide, “What You Should Know About Lead in China Dishes.” It defines the health risks and offers a list of more than 650 safe china patterns. For a free copy, send a self-addressed stamped envelope to: EDF, China, 257 Park Ave. S., New York, N.Y. 10010.