- Remember to replace your drink vessels regularly, no matter how much you like them.
Nothing lasts forever, not even your favorite mug. Once it starts wearing down, you should replace it, no matter how much you like the design or color.
Otherwise, it just might kill you.
That’s what happened in the tragic case of this Taiwanese man. He recently went to see a doctor with strange medical symptoms.
The doctors discovered he had mysteriously acquired heavy metal poisoning. However, the source of the contaminants became a lot less mysterious after they took a look at the man’s thermal bottle.
He had been using the same thermos for 10 years — and it showed. The thing was virtually rusted through, yet the man had still used it like it was new.
Sadly, throwing away the thermos didn’t save him. A year later, the man developed pneumonia due to his condition and passed away.
Let this be a reminder to all of us to keep our drink containers clean and throw them out once they start showing signs of wear and tear.
Mystery Affliction
The sad story of the unidentified man in his beloved thermos started about a year ago, according to Taiwanese media. He had been feeling unwell for a while before finally deciding to seek medical help.
His symptoms, strange as they were, matched heavy metal poisoning. The man didn’t work in an occupation that would’ve exposed him to the contaminants, but the doctor decided to run a blood test, just to be safe.
Unfortunately, the blood test confirmed their worst fears. The man’s body was indeed contaminated with heavy metals — especially lead.
But how could the mysterious substance have gotten into his system?
One Gross Thermos
Well, one look in the thermal bottle the man used every day answered that question. The thing was so rusty that it was a small miracle that it held together at all.
According to the man and his family, he had purchased the thermos 10 years ago and had been using it every day since then.
Practically everything the man drank went through the thermos. The list of drinks he stored in it includes, but isn’t limited to, coffee, tea, juices, dairy, soda, other carbonated drinks, Chinese herbal folk remedies, and alcohol.
That drink menu includes many acidic drinks, such as fruit juices, sodas, and milk. Over the years, they had corroded the protective coating on the bottle’s inner surfaces and started leeching chemicals and metals.
To make matters worse, the man didn’t exactly keep the thermos sparkling clean. The best it ever got was quick rinse with water before a pouring in a new drink.
Too Little, Too Late
After the doctor’s visit, the man supposedly got a new thermos. Unfortunately, at that point it as already too late.
The heavy metals in his body had already severely damaged his liver and kidneys. He also suffered from nerve damage, and his immune system was functioning poorly at best.
It was this combination that ultimately resulted in him developing pneumonia. Due to his already deteriorating health, the doctors were unable to stop the illness from progressing.
As a result, the man sadly died earlier this year.
Five Rules of Travel Mug Maintenance
In reaction to this tragic tale, Taiwanese health officials published some basic guidelines on drink vessel maintenance. They’re worth repeating here in order to help you avoid the man’s sad fate.
According to Taiwanese doctors, these are five key rules to using thermal cups and bottles right:
- You should replace the bottle or cup every 2-3 years, or as soon as it starts showing signs of deterioration.
- It’s best to buy certified food-grade 304 stainless steel, lead-free ceramic, or colorless borosilicate glass cups.
- Do not store acidic, dairy, or excessively hot drinks in the cup.
- If you notice any rust in the cup, or any kind of off-smell or flavor, stop using the cup immediately.
- Clean the cup or bottle regularly with water mixed with baking soda or vinegar to kill bacteria and remove heavy metal residues.
So, with all that said… When was the last time you replaced your travel mug?