Water Bottles
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Klean Kanteen water bottle is made of 18/8 stainless steel and has no paint, ink, coatings, or plastic. It includes a leak-proof bamboo cap (that can be bought separately). Importantly, Klean Kanteen is one of the two stainless steel water bottle brands with no lead sealing dot on the bottom. For more information, read below.
More info
It is important to know that MOST stainless steel water bottles and tumblers are sealed on the bottom exterior with a lead sealing dot/dimple (turn the bottle over and look for an indent). This MUST be covered by an undamaged coating or metal cap to avoid exposing people to bare lead. Bottom caps do break off (some brands more than others) and coatings may wear off in extreme use/damage. Please always check that your bottle is properly covered. Some brands have even been found to have left the lead dot completely exposed (where lead dust would rub onto hands, surfaces, etc. and is extremely dangerous, particularly to children). This is not illegal: at the time of writing, there are no US laws regulating lead use in consumer items outside of household paint, gasoline, and items specifically intended for children.
Hydro Flask stainless steel water bottle models produced since 2017 have no lead sealing dot either. They are confirmed by independent testing to be lead-free (visit Lead Safe Mama website for more information).
Life Factory carries glass lead-free water bottles.
Consider our criteria for “better,” “bad,” and “worst” water bottles (image in the gallery).
BETTER:
⚠️Clear glass bottles free of painted markings but not yet independently tested (leaded paint is still commonly used).
⚠️Stainless Steel Bottles with no accessible lead (based on general brand result findings of their other drinkware). PLEASE NOTE: most stainless steel water bottles are closed on the bottom exterior with a lead sealing dot that MUST be completely covered with an undamaged coating or cover to be safe.
BAD:
❌Glass with painted labels that do not have third-party heavy metal testing.
❌Stainless steel made from undisclosed materials or minimal manufacturing information
WORST:
❌Brands that have had items recalled, found positive for leaded paint or uncovered lead sealing dots, as this may expose you to dangerous levels of heavy metals. For more information on these brands, visit the Lead Safe Mama website.
❌Plastic: concerns regarding microplastic and other chemical leaching (even in BPA-free bottles as different concerning chemicals are used in place of BPAs).
❌Elemental aluminum: it is controversial as it is linked to Alzheimer’s (source, source) and may contribute to the body’s depletion of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and iron (source).
To learn more, please head over to my post on the Best And Safest Water Bottles.
