Lead and tin in canned foods: results of the UK survey 1983-1987.

Concentrations of tin and lead in canned foods have been monitored since 1983 to determine the effects of recent changes in can-making technology. In the sample studied the proportion of foods contained in non-soldered as opposed to soldered cans has risen consistently during the survey and now accounts for 83% of all samples (excluding sardines). Foods contained in non-soldered cans have lower lead concentrations than those contained in soldered cans and this changeover is likely to result in a decrease in dietary lead intakes in the UK.