Stanley addresses concern over its viral cups containing lead

Sign as much as our free Living Well e-mail for recommendation on residing a happier, more healthy and longer life

Live your life more healthy and happier with our free weekly Living Well publication

The firm behind the stylish Stanley cup has issued a response to issues that its merchandise comprise lead.

Stanley cups are the chrome steel water bottles which have taken over the world. The viral tumblers, specifically its 40-ounce Quencher cup, are identified for its number of colors and knack for retaining drinks cool for 48 hours. The merchandise have even change into considerably of a standing image, with one mom claiming her daughter was bullied for proudly owning an off-brand cup and one other lady allegedly stealing $2,500 value of Stanley merchandise.

Amid the viral craze, some involved clients have claimed on social media that ingesting from a Stanley cup might pose sure well being dangers. In a collection of posts shared to TikTok, folks have stated they carried out at-home lead checks on their cups. TikTok consumer Lead Safe Mama, whose content material goals to create consciousness towards childhood lead poisoning prevention, shared a video of herself testing the underside of her Stanley cup for lead, urging that “all of the lead be removed from kitchenware especially items that might be used by a child”.

Several movies of consumers testing their Stanley merchandise for lead confirmed blended outcomes, with a few of their checks turning up damaging whereas others confirmed a altering color indicating the presence of lead.

Now, Stanley has clarified whether or not their well-liked merchandise are secure to drink from. In an announcement shared with NBC News, a Stanley spokesperson stated that lead is used within the manufacturing strategy of Stanley cups. However, they emphasised that the product must change into broken to show the lead.

The spokesperson defined that on the underside of every quencher is a round barrier manufactured from chrome steel, which covers a pellet that accommodates lead. The pellet seals the product’s vacuum insulation, and it isn’t accessible except the chrome steel barrier comes off, which is feasible however “rare,” the spokesperson stated.

“Our engineering and supply chain teams are making progress on innovative, alternative materials for use in the sealing process,” they added.

It’s essential to notice that the lead materials is used on the underside cap to seal the insulated cups, however it doesn’t sit on the floor of the chrome steel bottle and by no means is available in contact with the precise beverage contained in the cup. A spokesperson additionally informed USA Today that Stanley merchandise meet all United States regulatory necessities.

Lead poisoning happens when lead builds up within the physique over an prolonged time frame. According to the Mayo Clinic, kids aged six or youthful are particularly weak to lead poisoning, which might have an effect on psychological and bodily improvement.

Common sources of lead poisoning embrace lead-based paint and lead-contaminated mud in older buildings, in addition to contaminated air, water, and soil. It may be attributable to inhaling lead mud or particles, touching a floor the place lead is current, and ingesting hint quantities of the fabric.

Symptoms of lead publicity can initially be troublesome to detect, and normally don’t seem till harmful quantities of lead have amassed within the physique. For kids, some indicators of lead poisoning embrace developmental delay, studying difficulties, irritability, lack of urge for food, vomiting, stomach ache, constipation, listening to loss, seizures or consuming substances that aren’t edible, corresponding to paint chips.

Some signs of lead poisoning in adults may additionally be hypertension, joint and muscle ache, difficulties with reminiscence or focus, complications, stomach ache, temper problems, decreased sperm rely and irregular sperm, and miscarriage, stillbirth, or untimely beginning in pregnant ladies.

If a Stanley cup turns into broken and exposes the pellet used to seal the cup’s vacuum insulation, clients can submit a declare by way of the corporate’s lifetime guarantee.

The Independent has contacted Stanley 1913 for remark.