The Stanley cup craze has led adults, teens, and preteens into a frenzy that culminated in a nationwide hysteria in Target stores across the United States on Valentine’s Day. Although some shoppers were tackled and others harassed, there may be something more hazardous to individuals’ health just below the surface.
Concerns Over Stanley Drinking Cup Lead Exposure
While social media rocketed the forty-ounce “Stanley Quencher” to record profits of $750 million a year, it may also bring about its downfall. Social media users are questioning whether or not drinking from reusable drinkware could lead to lead exposure. In a statement to Today, Stanley has responded to those comments stating that lead is used in the manufacturing of the product, but the product would have to be damaged for the lead to be exposed.
Stanley’s beverage containers feature a stainless steel barrier at the base, covering a lead-containing pellet. According to a Stanley spokesperson, this pellet seals the vacuum insulation of the product and is only accessible if the stainless steel barrier is removed, which the spokesperson describes as a “rare” occurrence.
The manufacturer provided a statement to NBC affiliate WCNC ensuring the safety of its product stating that it verifies compliance, “all products through FDA-accredited third-party labs that verify our products follow strict guidelines including but not limited to BPA/BPS, PFOS, and phthalate regulatory requirements.”
However, a spokesperson for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said “When lead is used in manufacturing, there is a risk of lead exposure for consumers of those products, especially for products intended for use in food consumption, like drinkware. There is also a potential occupational safety risk for workers and, without proper safeguards, could be a risk for workers’ families through take-home lead exposures.”
Is it safe to drink out of a Stanley Quencher?
Concerns over lead exposure have led to some consumers testing the products at home and posting their results on TikTok and other popular social media channels. Lead safety activist Tamara Rubin, who operates the Lead Safe Mama website, conducted tests on a broken Stanley product and discovered it contained lead.
In a comment to Vox, Diane Calello, the medical director at New Jersey Poison Control Center at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School echoed Stanley’s response, “Used correctly, the bottle does not pose a lead hazard. Accessing the lead pellet in the bottom of the bottle requires doing a lot of damage, and even then it would not be in contact with the liquid inside”.
Although the product would have to be severely damaged for an individual to be exposed to lead, the risk is not zero. Experts agree that the only way for consumers to be one hundred percent certain that they won’t be exposed to lead is to buy products that are certified lead-free. It is particularly important when the products are being used by children. Children who are exposed to lead are at risk for such adverse effects as damage to the brain and nervous system.
Speak To A Product Liability Attorney
Through informative articles like this, our dedicated personal injury law firm hopes to keep our community informed of potentially hazardous products, so that individuals may make informed decisions for themselves and their loved ones.
Manufacturers must prioritize consumer well-being by upholding rigorous standards of disclosure and transparency. However, when businesses fail to ensure the safety of their products for consumers, they must be held accountable. At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, our attorneys have over thirty years of experience advocating for just compensation for victims of unsafe products. If you or a loved one has been harmed by a defective or dangerous product, our committed attorneys will strive to secure the justice, recovery, and compensation you are entitled to. Contact us at (305) 662-6178 to speak with an attorney today.
Sources:
https://www.today.com/health/news/stanley-Drinkwares-lead-rcna135513
https://www.vox.com/culture/24059078/lead-stanley-water-bottles-why-safe
https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/prevention/health-effects.htm#
https://panterlaw.com/product-liability/
