Promotional metal straw with red coating [a promotional item given to one of my readers by a realtor]: positive for trace level of Arsenic

Promotional Metal Straw

Promotional materials (giveaways – from your realtor, dentist, doctor, contractor, hairdresser, etc.) are often not tested to the strict standards that a reputable company might use to test their branded products / products made for sale to consumers.

As a result, I quite regularly find promotional items testing positive for toxicants (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Arsenic, Antimony), and so this result (trace Arsenic found in this straw) is not at all surprising. [Separately, it is my understanding that very low-level Arsenic readings – in an item with a metal substrate (when testing with an XRF Instrument) – is not always the most reliable reading result, so it is also possible that the Arsenic level is a misreading (even though it was confirmed with multiple readings using a freshly-calibrated high-precision XRF instrument).]

Takeaway

Avoid using metal straws with colored coatings, unless they come from a reputable brand (or a brand that has been tested by an independent source – here’s one example!)
Instead, buy uncoated stainless steel, glass or paper straws (if you are avoiding plastic for environmental reasons.) [I just bought these for my son recently: https://amzn.to/2E9QFTX]
I recommend avoiding promotional items that are for food use (plastic or metal water bottles; mugs; straws; etc.) as they are less likely to be “food-safe” than branded products.
If you have a business and want to buy promotional items to give away, I recommend choosing useful durable goods (bottle openers? pocket knives? sunglasses? pens?) that are not designed to be used in direct contact with food. This way, even if your promotional items do have trace heavy metals, there will not be as much of a concern for any potential health impact to your customers.