(NewsNation) — The parent company for the popular Stanley tumbler cups is being sued by customers who say the brand failed to disclose the presence of lead in its products.
Two separate lawsuits were filed last week in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against California-based PMI Worldwide,The Seattle Times reports.
Back in January, Stanley confirmed that it uses lead in its manufacturing process: in a statement, they said an “industry-standard pellet” seals the vacuum insulation at the base of its products.
Stanley said on its website that the sealing material used contains lead, which is covered with a “durable stainless steel layer that makes it inaccessible to consumers.”
Many consumers still expressed concern on social media over this news, as according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency lead can cause a range of health effects, from behavioral problems and learning disabilities to seizures and death.
However, the statement said “no lead is present on the surface of any Stanley product that comes into contact with the consumer nor the contents of the product.”
“In the rare occurrence the base cap of a product comes off due to ordinary use and exposes this seal, it is eligible for our lifetime warranty,” Stanley said.
All products meet United States regulatory requirements, Stanley said, and they test for compliance in “FDA-accredited” third-party labs.
Still, the lawsuits state that if the tumblers are damaged or worn out from washing or use, their vacuum seals could break and lead to lead exposure.
The Seattle Times writes the suits were filed by a Nevada woman who bought a cup for $35 at Target and a California woman who did so at a Dick’s Sporting Goods store. Both women, the Seattle Times wrote, said they wouldn’t have made the purchase if they had known the products contained lead.
Hydro Flask, Owala and Klean Kanteen, all Stanley competitors, are able to use a manufacturing process without lead to make their cups, the lawsuit pointed out.
NewsNation has reached out to PMI Worldwide for comment.
