By: Peyton Butterfield

Stanley cups are a very, very popular cup brand, used by about seven billion people around the world. Yes, Stanley cups indeed have lead, yet it is secured at the bottom of the bottle. It is “protected,” but if it is damaged, there is a chance of getting lead poisoning. “Our manufacturing process currently employs the use of an industry-standard pellet to seal the vacuum insulation at the base of our products; the sealing material includes some lead,” a Stanley spokesperson said.¹

“If the cup stays intact, there’s likely no lead exposure risk for consumers. But if that bottom seal comes off, all bets are off,” a spokesperson said.¹ “Lead is so toxic you just can’t take chances with it. If a company has to rely on their product remaining perfectly intact for it to be safe, that company has a basic material safety problem that they are passing on to their customers.”¹ Lead poisoning is very dangerous. Exposure to even low levels of lead can cause damage over time, especially in children. The greatest risk is to brain development, where irreversible damage can occur. Higher levels can damage the kidneys and nervous system in both children and adults. Very high lead levels may cause seizures, unconsciousness, and death. Lead can do much harm. People should be more careful with their Stanley cups.

Most people got Stanley’s for similar reasons to Finley Pearson⁽⁷⁾ “I got it because it fits my cupholder and is long-lasting…I think lead could cause future problems if the bottom broke.” The lead scared many people, and they don't think it should be sold, “I don’t think they should continue selling them; they should fix the problem first,” Ms. Slaughterbeck, an English teacher, said in an interview.

These Stanley cups are used by many teachers and students in GHS. People think they should be treated carefully with caution. If you have a Stanley, make sure to be extra careful with it and not to break the bottom border.