Fruit juices, which parents give their children every morning, could contain toxic substances that can cause cancer or heart and lung diseases.  Researchers found in many popular brands high levels of antimony, a lethal substance in large doses.

The study conducted at the University of Copenhagen has shown that bottles of fruit juices and squash contain up to 2.5 times more antimony than the amount permitted in tap water by the European legislation. In some cases the toxic substances were 10 time higher.

The researchers believe the toxic substances reach the juice from the plastic bottles and asked for an investigation as soon as possible because such juices are consumed by millions of children every day.

Antimony is a silvery white semi-metal used in the making of PET bottles. While the brands were not made public, the chemicals are believed to have been found in about 16 very popular juices.