Corkcicle prominently labeled “LEAD FREE” on the packaging, however, the center sealing dot on the bottom (on the outside of the bottle — see the second photo) tested positive with an XRF at 181,400 ppm Lead [+/- 2,100 ppm]. (!)
It’s actually probably much higher than that (close to solid Lead solder), but the dot is smaller than the radius of the “sampling zone” at the tip of the XRF, so the reading takes into account some of the materials of the stainless steel bottle as well as the thin film of paint on the outside (which dilutes the Lead level reading in this case).
While the Lead from this product does not touch the contents of the product, it is decidedly NOT a “lead-free” product (as the company’s advertising claims it to be). If the paint wears off in this case (or if the Lead on the bottom is exposed and not painted over as it is on many of their raw stainless uncoated products) neurotoxic Lead WILL transfer onto your hand if you touch it.
OTHER COMPANIES have come up with a good solution to this problem:
I brought this issue to Hydroflask’s attention (I think it was back in 2014); initially they came up with a solution that they called a “glass fret” and melted the glass into the sealing hole, and they told me these new bottles were Lead-free. I later tested some with the new sealing technology (in 2016), and they were still positive for Lead (although at much lower levels than initially were found on the leaded sealing dot). Then, in 2017, I finally tested a lot of their bottles again and the new ones were all negative (entirely negative) for Lead. Hydroflask is a terrific company — even though having a leaded sealing dot is not illegal in any way, they kept trying for a truly Lead-free product until they got it right! There’s no excuse for Lead to be in any of our products for food and beverage — EVER — in 2018, regardless of whether or not the leaded component touches the food.
I have consistently found high Lead in the sealing dots on insulated Corkcicle water bottles.
Here’s an affiliate link* to see the new Lead-free Hydroflask on Amazon.
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Tamara Rubin is a multiple-federal-award-winning independent advocate for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety, and a documentary filmmaker. She is also a mother of Lead-poisoned children (two of her sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005). Since 2009, Tamara has been using XRF technology (a scientific method used by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission) to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic). All test results reported on this website are science-based, accurate, and replicable. Items are tested multiple times to confirm the test results for each component tested. Tamara’s work was featured in Consumer Reports Magazine in February of 2023 (March 2023 print edition).
Hi Tamara,
How do you know for sure if there is a lead sealing dot on the bottom of a water bottle? I have some water bottles that have a large circular dent on the bottom and nothing else. Then some that have the small circular dot like the one shown in the above post as well as a larger indent. Are You just concerned about the small dot or should we be concerned with the large circular indents as well?
Thanks!
Holly
Hi Holly,
I would need to see photos to better understand the distinctions you are making.
Here’s a Lead sealing dot as well: https://tamararubin.com/2017/05/pura-kiki-stainless-insulated-baby-bottles-one-of-the-more-egregious-examples-of-a-green-branded-baby-bottle-with-unsafe-levels-of-lead/
Tamara
Are corkcicles still full of lead. I used one for the second time today and developed burning lips, eyes, face and now burning sensation where my arms and legs touch the bed. I have never felt this in my life. The bottle and lid are metal and there is a rubberized coating on the bottom. Does this sound like lead exposure? I am stopping use immediately.