WASHINGTON – Stanley tumblers, the internet-famous cups, are trending on social media not for a new color release, but because they contain the toxic metal lead.
According to a statement on Stanley’s website, their “manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead.”
The statement continues, “once sealed, this area is covered with a durable stainless steel layer, making it inaccessible to consumers. Rest assured that no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes into contact with the consumer nor the contents of the product.”
Despite these assurances, some consumers remain concerned that they, or their children, might be using a product every day that could put them in contact with this extremely toxic heavy metal, which is known to harm people – particularly kids.
“It's unacceptable that people, especially young children, may be exposed to lead, a powerful neurotoxin, because of using a cup or any other consumer products,” said Olga Naidenko, Ph.D., vice president of science investigations at the Environmental Working Group.
“We know the use of lead is avoidable based on online statements from manufacturers who find alternatives to lead for vacuum sealing their products,” she said.
There is no safe blood lead level in children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exposure causes an array of health problems, including brain damage, lowered IQ and other harm to brain and nervous system development. Even small amounts can cause behavior and learning problems, slow growth, impair hearing and the ability to pay attention, and weaken overall cognitive development.
Because of their developing bodies, babies and young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead exposure – they absorb four to five times as much ingested lead as adults, according to the World Health Organization. Today, babies and kids are exposed to lead mostly through paint in older, badly maintained residential units and contaminated drinking water.
“Lead is toxic to everyone, but children are especially vulnerable to the effect of lead exposure,” said Naidenko.
“No infant or child should be exposed to the damaging effects of this dangerous heavy metal. The impact of elevated lead levels in a child's blood can include devastating lifelong harm to health,” she added.
Consumers should look for water bottle options that don't use lead in their products.
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The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
