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btw, they seal the vacuum in those things with lead. If shoddy workmanship is in evidence, you may want to discontinue using it.

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The lead plug is on the outside of the vacuum vessel and never comes in contact with the inside of the mug. Old, invalid complaint

In real ones, maybe.

In the cheapest chinese knockoffs... I wouldn't bet my health on that, and anyone who does is foolish.

Why lead?

They use lead pipes in the UK. Why I don't know, but I guess it's got some properties that make it ideal for keeping water where it's supposed to be.

FWIW it has been illegal to use lead piping in the UK for at least 50 years now. Of course it's still in older properties.

It's an easily workable metal, and apparently the easiest way to seal the hole made when they empty the vacuum chamber and / or produce certain welds.

https://www.wired.com/story/stanley-cup-lead-soldering/

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