Everything To Know About Online Claims That Stanley Cups Contain Lead
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Recently, videos have started circulating on social media suggesting that Stanley cups may contain lead. Last year, Tamara Rubin, owner of Lead Safe Mama, a lead poisoning prevention advocacy group, shared a video on Instagram that showed a positive result with a LeadCheck test on a 40-ounce Stanley cup. Then, several others started testing their own Stanley cups to see if it tested positive for lead, sharing the range of positive and negative results online.
If you have your own Stanley cup at home, it’s understandable to have questions. Here's what to know so far:
Do the cups contain lead?
Yes. A spokesperson for Stanley explained to Today that the cups' manufacturing process uses lead, but you only risk lead exposure if the "cover on the bottom of the tumbler comes off and exposes the pellet used to seal the cup's vacuum insulation."
The company has also responded to the viral videos. "Please rest assured that no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes in contact with you or the contents of your container," the company told USA Today in a statement. "Every Stanley product meets all U.S. regulatory requirements, including California Proposition 65, which requires businesses to provide warnings to Californians about heavy metal and chemical exposure."
Bottom Line: There's no need to worry about lead exposure with your Stanley cup unless there's something wrong with the insulation on the bottom. But if you are interested in doing your own at-home check, there are options. (Just know that you can sip without stress!)
Can I use an at-home lead test?
Yes, you can use an at-home lead test. D-Lead is a common test kit, although there are others. However, you can also contact a professional to have them do lead testing for you, if your budget allows.
Are at-home lead tests accurate?
At-home lead tests have been scrutinized in past years, with lots of debate as to their accuracy. Instead, for a test result you can trust, the EPA says to send a sample to a National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program certified lab, per USA Today.
Why is lead bad for me?
Exposure to lead is linked to a slew of serious health issues, which often affect kids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Health issues for children after lead exposure can include:
Damage to the brain and nervous system
Slowed growth and development
Learning and behavior problems
Hearing and speech problems
As a result, these issues can result in:
Lower IQ
Decreased ability to pay attention
Underperformance in school
In adults, lead can cause high blood pressure and brain, kidney and reproductive health issues, according to NYC Health.
What are lead poisoning symptoms?
These are the biggest symptoms of lead poisoning in adults, according to the Mayo Clinic:
High blood pressure
Joint and muscle pain
Difficulties with memory or concentration
Headache
Abdominal pain
Mood disorders
Reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm
Miscarriage, stillbirth, or premature birth in pregnant women
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