This rainbow stainless steel drinking straw was purchased from a discount store around 2019. It features a soft silicone removable tip. It is advertised as lead free and it has a beautiful rainbow effect on the metal. It is durable and quite useful for smoothies. When using a product such as this it is very important to clean the straw out after each use to prevent residue from forming on the inside.
How do you think it tested via XRF?
Reading on the Metal:
| Element of Interest | Parts per million (ppm) | Error Range |
|---|---|---|
| None detected | ||
| Other Elements | ||
| Chromium (Cr) | 181,321 | +/- 732 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 78,586 | +/- 733 |
| Copper (Cu) | 319 | +/- 102 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 11,375 | +/- 518 |
| Titanium (Ti) | 18,934 | +/- 481 |
| Iron (Fe) | 705,447 | +/- 1,211 |
| Vanadium (V) | 1,283 | +/- 225 |
| Platinum (Pt) | 273 | +/- 108 |
| Cobalt (Co) | 2,365 | +/- 571 |
Reading on the Silicone Tip:
| Element of Interest | Parts per million (ppm) | Error Range |
|---|---|---|
| None detected | ||
| Other Elements | ||
| Barium (Ba) | 239 | +/- 76 |
| Zinc (Zn) | 174 | +/- 6 |
| Iron (Fe) | 33 | +/- 13 |
The sample was tested in consumer goods TestAll mode using a Niton XL3t 700S for at least 30 seconds for metal and 60 seconds for other materials. Results are rounded to the nearest whole number.
Testing Summary:
No lead, mercury, arsenic, cadmium, or antimony were detected in the sample. The item tested is below the federal lead restrictions for children’s products which limits products intended for use by children 12 and under to 90-100 parts per million lead.
However, the item is not a new children’s product and is subject to these regulations.
We think reusable stainless straws are a great option.
We Prefer:
Stainless steel straws are an excellent reusable option that are great for the environment. They may be considered a better option than disposable paper straws which can contain water resistant coatings such as PFAS.
The rainbow finish sometimes decoratively used with stainless steel is not typically paint but a thin layer of a titanium-based coating. We do not have a concern for this type of finish.
We do not generally have a concern for lead in straws. We have also seen options made from glass which are excellent. We typically avoid plastic when serving hot food for general non-toxic reasons.
Sometimes cadmium may be detected at trace levels in silicone when testing with XRF, below regulatory limits for cadmium in children’s products, where such regulations exist. We like silicone products instead of plastic but you may have other preferences for your family.
When possible, we recommend that all items used by children in the kitchen be lead free, with the exception of trace lead in products that are leach tested, preferably under 90 ppm lead on surface coatings, which is considered to be within legal safety limits for children’ s products.
Better Straws:
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POLIGO 16pcs Reusable Stainless Steel Straws, Colorful Rainbow Drinking Straws
Why we like it: Although this set is not from well-known brand, it is made of lead-free 304 stainless steel with a fun rainbow finish.
Why we like it: This brand makes 18/8 stainless steel straws.
Why we like it: These straws are our personal favorite and they are handmade in the United States by artisans of borosilicate glass.
Disclaimer: These items have not always been personally tested by us but are likely to be lead free or low lead and/or cadmium based on our research into the materials, discussions with manufacturers, and/or testing on similar products. We recommend items we would use ourselves.
We provide our XRF testing for general educational or informational purposes only to help consumers identify low lead and lead-free products. We hereby disclaim any and all warranties, expressed or implied, and assume no duty or responsibility with respect to how any person or entity chooses to use the information on this website.