For those new to the Lead Safe Mama website:
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 four sons were acutely Lead-poisoned in 2005).
- Tamara owns and runs Lead Safe Mama, LLC — a unique community collaborative woman-owned small business for childhood Lead poisoning prevention and consumer goods safety.
- Since 2009, Tamara has been conducting XRF testing (a scientific testing method) using the exact instrumentation employed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission to test consumer goods for toxicants (specifically heavy metals — including Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Antimony, and Arsenic).
- Since July of 2022, the work of Lead Safe Mama, LLC has been responsible for 5 product recalls (FDA and CPSC).
- All test results reported on this website are science-based, accurate, and replicable.
- Items that Lead Safe Mama, LLC reports on are tested multiple times to confirm the results published (for each component tested).
- Recent notable press… There has been too much to mention already in 2024! Please check out our press page to see some of the amazing coverage of our work so far this year!
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Originally Published: July 31, 2020
Updated: March 24, 2023 — Friday
Leaded Sealing Dots
This is what a Leaded sealing dot looks like (on the bottom of a stainless steel water bottle):
Continue reading below the image.
The image below is what these Leaded sealing dots look like on stainless steel water bottles when covered with the factory paint or another coating — note the tell-tale shape/ size/ iconic appearance of this Leaded center sealing “dot,” even when the Lead is completely covered over by a coating.
Continue reading below the image.
Some of the brands of insulated stainless steel bottles and insulated stainless steel cups (and other products) that we have tested and found to have Leaded sealing dots:
- Pura Kiki insulated stainless steel bottles for children (sold through possibly as late as 2019). This company has said they removed the Lead from their sealing dots, but I have not yet found their products — as available to purchase on Amazon — to be consistently Lead-free. My concern is that even if they have removed the Lead at some point (likely possible c. 2018, if their corporate statements are true), they did not issue a recall on their existing products so some older inventory is still likely available for purchase online and in brick-and-mortar stores. We are filing a CPSC recall for these products in August of 2023.
- Contigo insulated stainless steel water bottles may have a Leaded sealing dot (has a bottom cap design, in which the cap covers the sealing dot, similar to the Pura Kiki construction). There is no issue with bottles with the “bottom cap” design unless the bottom cap falls off with normal use (this is the problem with the Pura Kiki bottles, as reported to me by my readers). If the bottom cap does come off, that’s a good sign it’s time to replace your water bottle!
- Takeya insulated stainless steel water bottles all still have Leaded sealing dots in my experience.
- Corkcicle insulated stainless steel water bottles (all have Leaded sealing dots in my experience — even though this brand specifically is advertised as “Lead-free!”).
- Pre-2018 Hydroflask stainless steel water bottles. (Their new water bottles and other new insulated stainless steel products from this brand have consistently tested Lead-free.)
- Thermoflask stainless steel water bottles I have tested have all had Leaded sealing dots (knockoff of Hydroflask).
- Paulie Jar: Read more about that here.
- Iron Flask: I do not yet have an article up about this product but shared about it on Instagram.
- Zak Cups: I do not yet have an article up about this product but will be filing a CPSC violation notice in August 2023 and will link that here once filed.
- Crocodile Creek: Details at this link. If these are not recalled in August 2023 we will be filing a recall notice.
- Cupkin: This product was recalled. Details are at the link here.
- Stanley: Details following the link here.
- Green Sprouts insulated baby bottles: This product was recalled. Details here.
- Bindle Bottle: This product was recalled subsequent to our findings. Details here.
Amazon links to the products above are provided (their brand names are highlighted in blue), so you can see them “out in the wild” — not because I recommend buying each of these products! The only product brand I recommend for insulated stainless steel water bottles is new, genuine Hydroflask products, as I have confirmed their new products (current/ modern available inventory — in stores and online) are consistently Lead-free. Hydroflask is a good company — a company that immediately and proactively responded to my initial findings of Lead in the sealing dots of their older water bottles and took care of the problem (years ago — back in 2013-2015, as soon as I informed them of my findings).
Amazon links to these products are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking on one of our links, Lead Safe Mama, LLC may receive a percentage of what you spend at no extra cost to you.
Is this a problem?
Why is this a problem?
My main concern is that children (and some adults) may interact with the dimple on the bottom of these bottles — whether out of curiosity or as a “fidget.” If the sealing dots are fully exposed to bare Lead (as with the example in the main picture for this article), that means the owner/user is touching bare Lead.
Is there any risk that the water inside the bottle can be contaminated by Lead?
The short answer to that question is “No.” This is a serious but localized/ exterior potential touching hazard; with any of these bottles, the water or other liquid inside the bottles is NOT exposed to the Lead sealing dot on the outside of the bottle, and thus the contents of the bottle are not Lead-contaminated. For the bottles that have a painted coating (or sticker or other seal covering the Lead dot), I have noticed that those seals consistently come off in most brands so a hazard may not be present at the time of purchase but can become an issue later with normal use and wear of the bottle (as intended). If you have one of the above-mentioned brands and the bottom cap (or other seal) covering the Leaded sealing dot has come off, please cease using the cup and either return the product (asking for a refund) or destroy the product.
As always, please let me know if you have any questions. I will do my best to answer them personally as soon as I have a moment, but that may take a while given the significant increase in readership here on LeadSafeMama.com. Thank you for reading and sharing our articles.
Tamara Rubin
Owner — Lead Safe Mama, LLC
LeadSafeMama
So these insulated bottles would be safe to use provided that you dont touch the sealing disk? Is this lead button on the inner layer or outer or both? And do you know if Manna uses these lead disks?
Any thoughts or info on yeti?
Hi Tamara, thank you so much for sharing all this extremely valuable information!… Have your ever tested Thermos or Camelback water bottles for children? Thank you!
The plastic bottles are generally lead-free, but some of the thermos brand bottles appear to have a leaded sealing dot (or partially leaded sealing dot) under the bottom cap. https://tamararubin.com/2017/03/camelpink/
Here’s the video that shows all the ways to search the blog: https://tamararubin.com/2020/12/how-to-use-the-lead-safe-mama-website-video/
Tamara
Happy Holiday Tamara
Thank you for LL the research that you do❣ You’re a GDsend
I wanted to know are there any stainless steel water bottles for adults that have a drinking spout, besides the ‘Wide Mouth’ type?
Love & Light,
Kathie
How about Corkcicle hybrid canteen bottle which is made with glass and stainless stain bottom? Thanks
I would like to suggest that Klein Kanteen Has no dot. At least the ones I have.
I am beside myself. What is the point in them using lead!?!? I just don’t understand why it’s even a thing. Someone, please explain.
So, I bought two hydroflasks and a Takeya from some “Joe” selling them on marketplace. He had a plethora of them. They all have that intention on the bottom. Does that mean they all have lead? Ugh, I hate this world.
its cheap
What about Ecovessel’s Boulder and Frost Bottles?
Hello and thank you for your work! I see that you have found (new) Hydroflask bottles to be lead free. I just bought a new insulated Hydroflask bottle (the 12 oz wide mouth bottle, specifically made for kids) and it has what looks like a sealing dot?! There is a removable silicone bumper on the bottom, and underneath is a small depression that looks very much like your example photos. Is it possible this is still lead free? Thank you!
They use lead free materials to make their sealing dots. They are the only brand that I am aware of that is doing this.
I called Hydro Flask…three times until I could get someone to answer my question. They said their “Temp Shield” sealing process does not use lead but still has a sealing dot on the bottom. (I hope this is true)
HydroFlask is the only brand that I know that has consistently tested Lead-free in recent years.
Hi Tamara, thank you again for your excellent work! I just wanted to add that I recently reached out to an Australian company, Montii Co., and they said this about their insulated products (water bottles and food jars): “in order to pass LFGB certification all of our products have to be 100% lead free, including the hidden bits (not just the bits that come in to contact with food / drink).”
Interesting!
Thank you for your work! We have some Otterbox stainless steel tumblers, but the outside is coated various solid colors. Is there a concern of lead with those, please?
Have you tested Reduce Everday insulated water cups? I would be curious to know. I don’t see the dot on the bottom, but I’m just not sure! Is this only a problem in insulated water bottles? Or would it also apply to a plain stainless steel cup?
I have 2 ThermoFlask bobbles that I bought at Costco. I have used one more than the other. I noticed that there are a few dots inside the bottle in the bottom (inside the bottle) that looks like it has rust spots. I only use the bottle for water. I am afraid to continue drinking water from it. What should I do? I thought of returning them to Costco. Please reply to my email.
Oooooooo noooooo! We were just gifted thermo flasks. The bottom looks to be powder coated like the bottle. Is there still a risk if it appears powder coated? Wasn’t sure if this would be considered painted how you said that would wear off, but this powder coating looks okay (except one looks like they fixed a bad spot, ugh). Very interesting. Going to see I can share pics.
Hi! Do you have a clue about the Thermos kids cups?
Hi! Thank you so much for this information and your dedication to informing the general public. I’m new to all of this (as of today!). I have several contigo bottles and a s’well one. Seems like contigo is okay to use but I’m wondering about s’well. Have you ever tested their products? I’m overwhelmed with finding nontoxic materials for my baby and the rest of us. Between the dangers of plastics and heavy metals, the options are minimal.
Hi Joy, have you tried doing a search on Damaris website? She posted a link in one of the comments above on how to do it. You just go to the search button on top of her website and type in a word that you are interested in searching info for. I did not find anything for “s’well”.
I totally agree with you. I have a two year old and just found out that all the bottles he’s been drinking out of for the last year and a quarter contain lead. Tamra also has a very helpful Facebook group that you can search posts for information as well.
Good luck!
Paula
Sorry Tamara’s website.
Hi Tamara have you tested the new Stanley Quencher Mugs? My daughter dropped hers and the bottom dot is falling off. Could it have lead underneath? Thank you
Hi,
Have you tested the Avex stainless steel Auto-Seal water bottles? They were bought out by Coleman and are no longer Branded as Avex, so even if the old Avex bottles are safe, I’m also curious if the Coleman bottles are still safe or if they possibly cut costs that risk lead?
Thanks
I just stumbled across this while researching stainless steel. UGH! Would the exposed lead look like the 1st picture? Looks like my daughter’s might be covered in a black paint? I’m on a desktop or I’d send a pic. I know this was written a while back. Hope you don’t mind sending an email. So frustrating lead is still being used in products, esp for kids!
We had a lead scare with some doors a couple years ago. Thankfully the kids tested negative, but they screamed and cried at getting tested. Worried I will need to be making another trip to the doc. Though, if it is covered in paint, she’s 7 and not exactly touching the bottom of the bottle often. So frustrating trying to do right and getting sabotaged by manufacturers
“immediately and proactively responded to my initial findings of Lead in the sealing dots of their older water bottles and took care of the problem “. This sounds like it wasn’t a problem for the company until somebody found out, or that they didn’t know…
yes
You had done a extensive study of the popular Stanley bottles at https://tamararubin.com/2023/03/full-xrf-test-results-for-a-2023-purchased-stanley-40-oz-flowstate-quencher-h2-0-tumbler/ .
Any chance you could update us on TheroFlask other than the lead seal? I hoped we could see the same testing on ThermoFlask as you did with the Stanley.
Given I know the Thermoflask has Lead, I don’t see a need to do a full assessment – as it is not a product that I would recommend. If someone wanted to send me one to test they can follow the instructions on this link: https://tamararubin.com/2019/08/tamara-can-i-send-you-one-of-my-dishes-or-other-items-to-test-for-lead-yes-maybe-but-read-this-whole-post-first-thanks/
Have you tested Yeti’s??
Yes – put “Yeti” in the search bar.
Thank you so much!! ❤️
Is it safe to put a bottle with a leaded sealing dot in the dishwasher (assuming the dot is not exposed)? Or could this spread lead around to other dishes? Thank you!
It depends on the bottle – but I would not (for risk of future exposure if it is not yet exposed.)
T
Thank you for the reply and ALL your hard work
I bought several Hydroflask from a major grocery store chain within the past year. All of the bottles interior metal began to discolor in spots where the interior sides meet the interior bottom. The best description is rust-like, but it was a darker greyish black color. Since the bottles were barely used and didn’t have any damage to them I contacted Hydroflask directly. Hydroflask had no explanation for the metal staining. Hydroflask had me email them pictures and they sent me replacements. I offered to send the bottles to be tested but Hydroflask didn’t want the bottles for testing. The replacements have barely been used and I recently noticed the same issue is occurring on one of the replacements. They are stored clean and dry. Have you heard of this issue happening with new Hydroflask bottles? Have you taken apart a Hydroflask bottle and tested to determine what metals are used in the seal of the interior bottom with the interior sides?
The interior is all stainless. I have not seen this. Do you have hard water where you are? (high mineral content water?) it could be from that. I would not use these with juice or coffee or other acidic beverages – only water.
I purchased the new S’well kids tracker cup and Planetbox Glacier water bottle. Have you ever tested any of these ? Or any S’well products at all. I currently already have some and didn’t realize they could potentially have lead.
Thank you!
Have you filed your cpsc for Zak yet? Interested in the stainless steel cups with the soft straws. We actually had one bottom pop off one today.
not yet
Have you ever tested Liewood or Citron stainless steel water bottles for lead? They both claim that their sealing dots aren’t made from lead … Thank you for your reply!
I am wondering about Liewood, too. I don’t know if EU standards prohibit all use of lead but I really hope so as these have been my toddler’s daily water bottles her whole life. The dot on the bottom looks like stainless steel but I don’t know what’s under it.
What about the new water bottle Owala??!
If you put “Owala”in the search bar at the top of any page of this site, you will find test results for that brand. You can also click the Website Menu button (at the top of the page) and you will find an “Owala” button (linked to the article) in Section #10 of the Website Menu (“Reusable Water Bottles & Travel Cups by Brand”)
T
I was looking up this Klean Kanteen Reflect 27oz W/Bamboo Cap water bottle:
https://www.amazon.com/Klean-Kanteen-Reflect-Brushed-Stainless/dp/B09B2WPK7M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=Y7G9P1CUHWZV&keywords=klean%2Bkanteen%2Breflect%2B27%2Boz%2Bwith%2Fbamboo%2Bcap&qid=1703724817&sprefix=kleen%2Bkanteen%2Breflect%2B27%2Boz%2Bw%2Fbamboo%2Bca%2Caps%2C408&sr=8-1&th=1
One person left a 2-star review that said, “The concept of all stainless is nice but leaves an unhealthy design to the cap. The threads are steel on steel and therefor bear all the clamp load when you tighten the bottle. Simply put when you tighten the bottle all the way you will hear a metal grinding noise from the pressure on the threads, after doing this a couple times run your fingers inside the lip you drink from and you’ll notice shiny stainless steel dust on your fingers. The seal position is a great idea but the cap needs to be a snap lock type not one with steel on steel threads because now people are consuming stainless steel chrome dust which is worse than plastics.”
Have you ever seen this happen? Is this really a concern?
Thanks!
What about Hydragear water bottle? They do have a p65 warning but that could be because they did not want to test their bottle for all chemicals. I would be happy to hear if you have tested these bottles.
Thank you!
I recently purchased a Bruemate tumbler, it hasn’t even shipped yet, and a video popped up about Stanley using lead. I didn’t even know this was a thing! Have you done any testing on Bruemate? I have googled but am not coming up with any answers.
Thank you for your time
Hi Tamara,
What do you recommend for a travel coffee cup besides glass? I can’t get my family to take glass on the road. They love their daily thermos of coffee. We’ve been using Contigo for coffee and tea.. your thoughts? Thank you in advance!!
Have you tested Swell. I looked in the search bar but nothing showed up.
I just had a Zak! cup base fall off while I was washing it. Tested it with a Scitus and instantly turned red. Just lucky I caught it because I barely was paying attention when washing. Kinda a shock to see how easily it fell off. Of course, I contacted them and heard nothing back. Scary! I usually only use hydro flask, but I had one bottle left for the kids and I should have thrown it out.
I am going to be filing a violation report for this brand this weekend.
T
Great to hear! I’ve sent several emails and haven’t heard a thing back from them.
Finally got a response back from Zak! Not only they didn’t acknowledge that the bottom fell off of my son’s cup (with pictures as proof), but they downplayed the likelihood that it could ever fall off or be a potential hazard if a child got a hold of the cup with a missing bottom. Disappointing, but at least they admit to using “trace” amounts of lead. I’m pretty sure it’s way more than trace amounts since my lead test went bright red the moment it was rubbed on the sealing dot.
“Thank you for reaching out to us. We want to assure you that our top priority at zak! is the health and safety of our customers, which is why we continually go above and beyond to ensure all of our products are safe and meet all federal quality standards and regulations.
We completely understand your concern regarding the unlikely possibility of lead exposure with zak! vacuum insulated tumblers, and we can assure you that we have taken every precaution to make sure that possibility is as improbable as we can. The cover on the bottom of the bottles and tumblers is securely fastened in a manner that makes the possibility of it coming off during normal use extremely unlikely. All of our products are tested by the global leaders in third-party testing to ensure that they meet all standards and requirements, including lead.
Like nearly every other vacuum sealed tumbler on the market, however, our stainless steel double wall tumblers are sealed with a very small liquid pellet that contains trace amounts of lead. This pellet never comes in contact with the liquid inside the tumbler or hands during use, and the only possible way it could be exposed to anyone using the tumbler is in the unlikely event that the welded cover on the bottom of the tumbler comes off.
If that should ever happen, however, we would ask that you contact us, and we will gladly send you a replacement so you can discard the damaged tumbler. Again, we appreciate you reaching out to us and giving us the opportunity to help alleviate your concerns.
Regards,
SARA
Consumer Relations Coordinator
Zak Designs, Inc. http://www.zak.com
T 1.800.821.4864
E customerservice@zak.com“
Are Swig cups lead-free
I just bought the reduce viral cup for my daughter, they were at Costcoc just wondering if they’re safe, I also bought at insulated ello water bottle for myself, any thoughts on it?
Can’t find your post about iron flask, what was the conclusion on these?
There is not a separate article. They have lead in the sealing dot.
T
What about Coleman bottles? I tried searching your site and found nothing.
Hi Tamara,
Thank you for all of the information you provide!
After reading this, I immediately got rid of two Takeya brand water bottles. One appeared to be powder coated with the coating still intact, but the other bottle was plain stainless steel with the lead solder completely exposed.
I’m wondering how concerned I should be with secondary contamination from several years of regularly using and handwashing the bottle that had an exposed lead solder. Could lead have spread all over my kitchen and sports bags for example? I’m extra worried because I used to store my water bottles in a cabinet that I now use to store my baby’s bibs, face cloths, and snacks. Really hoping my cabinet for baby items doesn’t have lead dust from secondary contamination from the water bottle. If you can share any thoughts on this, I’d really appreciate it!
Thanks!
I would re-clean anything it was in contact with – including sports bags.
T
Thanks Tamara! Would soap and water be enough to properly clean wood cabinets?
https://tamararubin.com/2017/05/my-cloroxwipesvideo-or-how-to-clean-up-lead-dust-a-short-video-by-lead-safe-mama-tamara-rubin/
Thank you!!!
Hi Tamara! Thank you for all of your amazing work on here. Would you consider testing milk frothers/steamers. I just got the all stainless instant pot brand one and was concerned to see min/max lines printed on the inside for fear the ink contains lead.
Thank you so much for providing this invaluable information. After reading your post I took a close look at the water bottles we bought from Amazon marketed as made by Involve & Evolve. They state many times on Amazon that the bottles are lead free. One of my daughter’s water bottle had significant paint that had rubbed and scraped off the bottom with normal use. I scraped a little more paint from the center dot (not covered by a plug, just paint) and tested with Pro Lab lead surface test kit and it immediately tested purple – positive for lead.
Hiii! Have the lululemon stainless steel water bottles or the social media popular HydroJug been tested? TIA!! 🙂
So the issue seems to be the same with MIIR cups, but apparently I got it worse with my cup from 2018: see pic above. There isn’t even a disc over the lead solder, but the lead solder is only painted over. The rep at MIIR assured me that the cup is safe, but as you can see, the paint has rubbed off over the years – isn’t that a risk if the cup is washed in the dishwasher or when it is touched – there seems to be the actual lead exposed here. See pic here:
https://ibb.co/yNnpmKZ
Hi, Tamara!
Thank you for your hard work and time.
I use the Reduce (gigantic) tumbler. Any info on that one?
Thanks,
El
Thank you for this content. I’ve been trying to find information on the Konokyo 18oz Double Wall Stainless Steel Vacuum Bottles Metal Water Flask. The company has been unresponsive. Have you encountered this company and, if so, are you aware of whether their products contain lead?
Thanks for your help,
B.
Hi,
Any info on Brumate? I don’t know if it does not show up because no testing has been done or it’s a safe brand.
Thank you for all of your amazing work!
Leaded – made a video about it.
T
Do you guys read the article before you ask questions?
1. She says the hazard is NOT inside the bottle and is only an issue if the bottom covering has come off, thus exposing the lead dot to touch hazards ON THE OUTSIDE.
2. Hydroflask post-2018 is the only one not using lead in the dot seal
3. Avoid scraping the bottom and if it does become exposed, return or throw out.
What is so difficult to understand?