I asked this question in the "Wine Conversations" forum, but maybe it's too basic, so I'll ask it here:
Are lead-crystal decanters hazardous/unhealthy to use if the wine is in them just for an evening?

And, what's the difference between non-lead crystal and "ordinary" glass?

Probably not. I wouldn't store spirits in a lead crystal though. They are more likely to leach due to the higher alcohol and longer contact time.

As GA says, probably not. But if you want to decrease the chance of any lead transfer, I've read that rinsing with vinegar will help remove lead from the surface of the glass.

Same answer as above from Dr. Vinny:

May 30, 2007:


Dear Dr. Vinny,

We have some beautiful old Waterford lead crystal decanters which we've rarely used. My wife is afraid to use them for decanting wine because of her perceived risk of lead poisoning. Is this perceived risk justified, or can we decant away?

—Mark Mershon, Miami, Fla.

Dear Mark,

You can decant away, but only if you promise me that you don't use those decanters for long-term wine storage. It takes a long time—months or years—but eventually the acids in the wine will leach some lead from the glass. You'd have to drink a whole bunch of this lead-infected wine to have any dangerous effects. But it's safe to use these decanters for a few hours at a time.

—Dr. Vinny

Thanks for putting my mind at ease. I never leave wine in the Watereford for more than several hours in the evening for serving. However, I did order a modest non-lead crystal decanter just for total piece of mind, now I have options.