Overview

• Stanley cups, a popular brand of travel drinking cups, have been found to contain lead sealed within the base of the cup. The lead is used as part of the cup's vacuum insulation and is covered by a stainless steel layer that protects consumers from lead exposure.
• Despite assurances from Stanley that the lead is inaccessible to consumers, concerns have been raised on social media about the potential dangers of any exposure to lead, which can lead to kidney problems, anemia, reproductive issues and developmental problems.
• Other brands of drinking cups have also been found to contain lead and have been subject to recall. In November, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the recall of several brands of children's cups sold on Amazon due to lead content.
• Lead exposure is particularly dangerous for children, with even low levels of lead in blood shown to affect learning, ability to pay attention, and academic achievement. Lead accumulates in the body over time, and ongoing exposure, even at extremely low levels, can become toxic.
• Experts suggest that parents get their child’s lead level tested at ages 1 and 2, and possibly more often, depending on the area of the country. The test is easily done by a pediatrician, or at a local state, county or city department of health.