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Dangers
Pewter goblets that contain lead are not considered safe to drink from due to the danger of lead poisoning. Lead poisoning is more of a danger for children than adults because lead that enters the bloodstream through ingestion is processed more thoroughly by a child's relatively high metabolism and growing cells. Also, young children are more likely to put foreign objects in their mouths, some of which may contain lead, leading to greater overall exposure to lead poisoning.
Function
Lead from old pewter can be absorbed by the liquid filling the goblet, a process called leaching over time in the body, leading to lead toxicity. Lead toxicity, also called lead poisoning, damages a person's central nervous system and reproductive system.
Composition
Not all pewter contains lead. Goblets made of pewter lacking lead are safe to drink from. Pewter made in the early 1700s and before is an alloy made of tin and lead, sometimes with other metals added, and poses a risk for lead poisoning. During the 1700s, English pewter was created as an alloy of tin, copper and antimony, eliminating the lead. Pewter goblets made in English or America in the 1800s or later are likely to be lead-free. Those made during the 1700s may or may not contain lead. Pewter items from other countries and low-quality modern pewter items may still contain lead.
Identification
Look on the bottom of the goblet for a stamp. Sometimes, old pewter is stamped by the maker, giving the location and even the date of its creation. If the stamp indicates the pewter was made in England or America after 1800, it's likely lead-free. However, unless it is stamped with the words "lead-free," it's difficult to be certain whether or not the pewter contains lead.
Pewter with a lead component tends to oxidize in a different manner from lead-free pewter, gaining a dark gray-black coating over time. The oxidation on lead-free pewter is lighter in color. This, however, is difficult to determine without a side-by-side comparison. Also, modern pewter is sometimes chemically altered to give it a more antique look, simulating the darker oxidation of leaded pewter.
Prevention/Solution
Do not allow children under 18 years old drink from pewter goblets unless you're certain these items are lead-free. Never heat liquids in old pewter goblets or consume liquids that were hot when poured into the goblets. Heat increases the amount of lead that leaches into the drink from the pewter. If you're unsure whether your pewter contains lead, treat it as it does. Discuss your risk of overall lead exposure with your doctor before drinking from old pewter goblets.