Soft Drink

Almost all inhaled lead is absorbed into the body; for ingestion, the speed is 20–70%, with children absorbing a better proportion than adults. Its ease of working and resistance to corrosion ensured its widespread use in different applications, including prescribed drugs, roofing, currency, and warfare. Writers of the time, such as Cato the Elder, Columella, and Pliny the Elder, recommended lead (or lead-coated) vessels for the preparation of sweeteners and preservatives added to wine and food. The lead conferred an agreeable taste as a end result of formation of “sugar of lead” (lead acetate), whereas copper or bronze vessels may impart a bitter flavor by way of verdigris formation. Lead tablets had been generally used as a fabric for letters.