When thinking about the concerns of lead poisoning many people may think of paint chips or old pipes. However, many old machinery or tools can also contain lead as it was once widely used in many items.
Around this time each year many Missourians are tapping their maple trees to collect syrup. Sap from these trees and the trees themselves do not contain lead but there is a chance of contamination based on the equipment used and environmental factors. Sometimes these pieces of equipment such as evaporators, tanks, buckets, and spiles are items that have been passed down through generations and may contain lead in some form. In some cases, places where the items have been soldered, the type of metal used to make the item and other factors can contribute to this. Lead can also be introduced through elements such as wind kicking up roadside dirt or dust that contains lead. Syrup is slightly acidic so if it sits in a tank or bucket that contains lead it can draw the lead out of the product and into the syrup itself. It is recommended to use plastic equipment when possible.
Lead levels in syrup can not be determined by looking at it. In some cases, the lead may be taken out of the syrup during the filtering process. The sugar sand that builds up in the bottom of the batch often contains the most lead particles and the syrup should be tested after the final filtering. The only way to find out if lead is present in the syrup is by having the syrup tested to see if it meets Missouri requirements. If there is any concern for this, such as using older items or if the trees are in an area known for high lead exposure, the syrup should be sent for testing before consuming or selling.
For more specific information on what items may be affected please visit https://mapleresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/leadout.pdf
For more information on collecting maple syrup safely or selling it in Missouri please visit:
https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/activities/maple-sugaring
https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/commdm/dm3036.pdf