So, Are All Your Water Bottles Made Out of Lead?
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THE POPULAR STANLEY cup has come under fire for possibly containing traces of lead, a toxic compound that can cause serious side effects when humans are exposed to it.
Viral posts have been showing users testing Stanley cups with at-home lead tests, with mixed results. Some are coming up positive, while others are not.
Stanley confirmed in a recent press release that lead is used as part of a sealant for the insulation of the cup, but safeguarded by a layer of stainless steel. Unless the cup has been damaged and the covering is broken, there's no way for lead to be exposed to humans—a possible but rare occurrence, the statement says. Stainless steel is very durable, so breaking through that covering to expose the lead is highly unlikely. Unless your cup has been in a car crash or has fallen off a multi-story building, you're more than likely safe.
"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," the statement reads.
As for the positive results in the viral social media posts going around, Galvez says further testing would be needed to prove the results to be factual.
According to a New York Times story released this morning, Jack Caravanos, a professor of public health at New York University tested three different Stanley cups using an X-ray fluorescence detector—the same technology used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to test consumer goods for toxic materials—and found no traces of the element.
So, almost certainly, there's no reason to fear your beloved emotional support water bottle. But how do other insulated water bottle companies stack up? We did some research.
Yeti
Yeti has not confirmed whether or not the cups are made with a similar sealant that includes lead. There's a notice on its website about a few other products they manufacture that contain lead, including a camping chair and locks—but nothing relating to the cups.
Lead Safe Mama, LLC, is a small business dedicated to educating the public on the dangers of lead poisoning. They often do product reviews by testing for lead, also using an X-ray fluorescence detector. In early 2024, they tested 20 ounce Yeti Rambler and did not find any traces of lead on the outsides of the cup. However, the company did not do any deconstructed testing—meaning they did not pull off the stainless steel casing to test for lead in the internal materials.
Hydroflasks
In the midst of the Stanley debacle, Hydroflask took to its Instagram to announce that they have not used lead in the manufacturing of its bottles since 2012. "Even though this process was more complex—and more expensive—we chose this path because we aimed for a higher standard, knowing lead could be harmful to our consumers, manufacturing partners and the environment," the statement says.
Lead Free Mama, LLC, tested the 32 ounce Hydroflask in 2017 and deemed it lead free, and more recently added the bottle to a 2023 round up of favorite lead-free water bottles.
Owala
Owala took to its website recently to ensure all its products are made lead-free.
"In light of recent media attention on the subject, we affirm our commitment to consumer safety by highlighting the fact that all Owala bottles and tumblers—including the award-winning Owala FreeSip bottle—are and always have been lead free," the statement says.
A 24 ounce Owala was tested by Lead Safe Mama in 2022 and deemed lead-free.
S'well
There's no indication of lead use in the manufacturing of S'well bottles on its website. It says the bottles are made of food-grade stainless steel, and are BPA-free. But, there has not been any high-quality testing done on S'well products as of now—so we can't be completely sure it's lead-free.
What are the risks of lead exposure?
"There is no known safe level of exposure to lead," says Galvez. "In children, even low levels of lead in blood have been shown to affect learning, development, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement."
Extended exposure can cause anemia, high blood pressure, lung damage, cancer, fertility problems, tooth and bone loss, kidney problems, brain damage, and even death. Lead is often found in paint in homes built before 1978 (after that, lead paint was banned). Peeling paint remains the most common type of exposure. Lead can also be found in pipes, contaminated soil, imported candies, traditional medicines, imported toys and costume jewelry, Galvez says.
Symptoms are not always present. "At high enough levels, people may experience stomach issues (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, appetite loss), mood issues (depression, irritability), headache, fatigue, or memory loss," she says. The only way to test for lead is by blood test.
What should I look for when buying an insulated water bottle, then?
All this lead talk is not a reason return back to plastic, single-use water bottles. "Drinking from a reusable water bottle is a meaningful way to reduce plastic pollution and stay hydrated," Galvez says.
Stick to glass or stainless steel options. Products approved by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) are always the best bet. Some products even have lead-free labels.
Lead can also be found in certain ceramic glazes, so be sure not to use traditional ceramic pottery for food and drink, Galvez says.
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