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Non Toxic Glass Mugs
I am a coffee drinker so I use a mug everyday. Many people have their favourite mug they use on daily basis. However, a mug can be toxic and leach harmful lead and cadmium. Coffee is actually acidic so it makes the mug leach lead or cadmium faster. Therefore, having a mug that doesn’t contain lead and cadmium is important especially for a coffee drinker like myself. Unfortunately, so many mugs contain lead or cadmium. A study by the University of Plymouth in UK found 70% of glasses they tested (out of 72 products) contained lead and cadmium. That means most of the mugs out there may have lead or cadmium. Since I use a mug everyday, I wanted to get a mug that is non toxic and cadmium & lead-free. In this post, I share with you how mugs can be toxic and what non toxic mugs are available.
How Mugs Can Be Toxic
Mugs can be made with plastic, ceramic, porcelain, bone china or glass. Plastic is a hazardous material to begin with and very bad when mixed with heat, therefore, I wouldn’t choose the material especially for drinking hot beverages. Heat will increase the amount of toxins leaching into drinks faster.
Ceramic mugs have glazes and decorations that usually contain lead or cadmium. Lead is usually used to make glazes look shiny and smooth. Cadmium is often used to provide dishes bright colors. Lead glazes and decorations are also commonly used on porcelain or fine china. Since small traces of lead or cadmium is allowed in dinnerware and mugs sold in the United States, many mugs contain lead or cadmium. Whether they are plain white, colored or decorated, they all have a chance to contain lead or cadmium. FDA started testing for safety starting 1970, therefore, most vintage china will contain high levels of lead and cadmium. Even nowadays, some fine chinas contain lead and cadmium regardless of their color and decals. For Glass mugs, if they are colored, painted or have decal-type decorations on the surface, they will most likely contain lead or cadmium. (except leaded crystal which contains lead as an ingredient)
Acidic food or drinks will make these materials leach lead or cadmium easier and faster. Unfortunately, coffee which many people drink daily, sometimes several times a day is acidic. Therefore, it will not be good for a coffee drinker to drink coffee in a mug that contains lead or cadmium. Microwaving a mug that contains lead or cadmium will also make leaching of toxicants easier and faster.
Non Toxic Mugs
In order to find out how much lead or cadmium is present in the mugs, each mug has to be tested. However, I don’t have the proper testing instrument and even if I do, I am not going to test every mugs before I buy. Since any ceramic, porcelain or china mugs can contain lead or cadmium from their glaze, I like the mugs that are made of glass. Glass material normally does not contain glaze unless it has painted or decal-type decorations.
A study by the University of Plymouth in UK found lead and cadmium in both the paint and glaze of decoration on the outside of the glassware and around the rim. The lead concentrations ranged from about 40 to 400,000 parts per million (ppm), while cadmium ranged from about 300 to 70,000 ppm. That is a lot of lead and cadmium found on glasses! The limit levels for the externally decorated lip area of drinking glass are 200 ppm and 800 ppm according to the US Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Therefore, avoid glasses with paints and decorations and go for the plain, clear glass material. I have listed non toxic glass mugs below.
Some mugs are made of borosilicate glass. Borosilicate glass has extreme resistance to severe temperature changes and thermal shock. Some glass mugs are insulated so you can keep the temperature of drink hot or cold for a long time.
[Update Mar.28, 2019] I have also added some stainless steel coffee mugs. Stainless steel is also a non toxic material that I enjoy using for food and drinks.
Eparé Insulated Coffee Cups
Eparé Insulated Coffee Cup is made with borosilicate glass. This mug is insulated so you can keep your drink hot or cold.
JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated glasses Espresso Mugs – Non Toxic Mugs
JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated Glass Mug is also made with borosilicate glass. It is also insulated so it will keep drinks hot or cold.
Libbey Robusta Classic Coffee Mug, 13 oz – Non Toxic Mugs
Libbey Robusta Classic Coffee Mug is great for hot drinks or soups.
Anchor Hocking Café Glass Coffee Mugs, 16 oz – Non Toxic Mugs
Anchor Hocking Coffee Mugs is great for hot or cold beverages.
Luminarc Jumbo Mug -Non Toxic Mugs
Luminarc Jumbo Mug is perfect for soup or coffee.
Avito Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs with Lids – Non Toxic Mugs
Avito stainless steel coffee mugs are insulated and they come with lids. They are double walled and great for both hot or cold drinks.
Tru Blu Steel Insulated Stainless Steel Coffee Mugs – Non Toxic Mugs
Tru Blu Steel stainless steel coffee mugs are double walled and insulated.
Finedine Insulated Stainless Coffee Mugs – Non Toxic Mugs
Finedine insulated stainless steel coffee mugs come with lids. They have double wall.
Final Thoughts
Just like dinnerware, mugs also can contain lead and cadmium. Ceramic, porcelain, china or bone china mugs often have glaze with lead or cadmium to look brighter, shinier and colorful. Since it is not easy for me to test lead and cadmium contained in the mugs before I buy mugs, I don’t like mugs that are made of these materials. Glass, on the other hand, is safe except when it is painted, colored or decorated. Clear glass is the best option to avoid lead or cadmium.
From the mugs I recommended, I like Eparé Insulated Coffee Cup and JoyJolt Savor Double Wall Insulated Glass Mug. They are both made of borosilicate glass which can withstand heat changes better than ordinary glass. They are also insulated so you can keep drinks hot or cold for a long time. I really like glass mugs. They are not only non toxic but also they look great. I love drinking coffee everyday in my glass mug. I hope this post helps you decide the best non-toxic mug for you and your family!
Read my post ‘Non Toxic Dinnerware – Which Dinnerware Is Lead-Free?‘ to see how dinnerware can be toxic and what non toxic dinnerwear is available.
If you are interested in non toxic cookware, please read my previous post, ‘Non Toxic Cookware Guide – What Is The Healthiest And Safest Cookware?‘
If you are interested in pressure cooker, Instant Pot, please read my post, ‘Non Toxic Pressure Cooker – Is Instant Pot Pressure Cooker Non Toxic?‘
If you are interested in non toxic rice cookers, please read my post ‘Non Toxic Rice Cookers – Rice Cookers With A Stainless Steel Inner Pot‘.
PLEASE SHARE THIS POST WITH YOUR FRIENDS OR LEAVE ME A COMMENT! 🙂
Simply wanna state that this is very helpful, Thanks for taking your time to write this.
Thank you for all of your hard work and research. It has saved me ( a mommy too) much time and frustration). ~namaste
Thank you! 🙂
Thank you for this article. Did you consider stainless steal mugs? I do not have exact information but I have read somewhere that stainless steal is also less toxic
Hi Ritta,
Yes! Stainless steel is also great and I actually love stainless steel material. I have added some stainless steel coffee mug recommendations to this blog. Thank you!
Hello. I’m not a “new mommy” ( 62 year old Grandpa 😉 ) , and found you by using my Bing search engine. Thanks for the info about tge lead / cadmium stuff. Read a news article from Matiin, Indiana, then the next link was to your page. I often reheat my coffee – can any of those glass mugs you mentioned be microwaved ? Years ago, ( early 1970’s ) Mom & Dad had a Pyrex coffee pot made of clear glass that was put on the stove burners to percolate. Do you know anything about Pyrex or Corelle wear? Iirc, they were from Corning ware ( oven pans / dishes ), Thanks, Art
Sorry for the spelling mistakes. Edge of pinky finger on tiny smartphone keyboard. ☹ Should say Marion, Indiana. And , tge = the.
No Problem! 🙂
Hi Art,
Yes, the first two coffee mugs on my list, EPARÉ INSULATED COFFEE CUPS and JOYJOLT SAVOR DOUBLE WALL INSULATED GLASSES ESPRESSO MUGS are microwave safe.
Thanks !
I have heard that Corelle mugs can contain lead so I haven’t included them. As I have mentioned in my other ‘Non toxic dinner ware – Which dinnerware is lead free?‘, some dinnerware materials can contain lead and we may not know it unless we test them. Therefore, I am not sure if Pyrex or Corelle mugs contain with lead or not.
Hello – I agree with you on that… I have yried to get a straight answer from them, but they seem to be avoiding the subject. Thanks for your input / ibsight. I saw a company tour on You Tube called Denby pottery in England. Been around since the 1800’s, and no lead or cadmium used.
Hi. Thank you for great info and research. Looked at many of your informative posts. I have a question: IKIA has tempered glass and regular glass cups and dishes, bakewear, storage wear, etc. They also have stainless steel. Do you know if anyone tested them for safety?
Thanks.
Hi Kay,
I know Tamara Rubin, the founder of the Lead Safe America Foundation tested some IKEA dishes(XRF testing) and she generally finds IKEA dishes safe if they were made after 2010.
The Tru blue stainless steel mug, do they have any lead dot, as they are insulated stainless steel too?
Hi Marianne,
The entire inside and outside of the mug is seamless. There is no lead dot. Hope this helps.
Good information–do you know of any glass coffee cups/mugs that have covers?
Hi Richard,
Here are some glass coffee cups/ mugs with lids.
Mr.Mug & Mr.Cup Coffee Mugs with Lid
DeFancy Double Wall Coffee Mug 17 oz Insulated Borosilicate Glass Coffee Cup with Handle and Lid
Luxtea 350ml/12.5oz Insulating Teacup Double Layer Glass Mug Heat Resistant Cup With A Glass Lid
Wow thank you for this info !!
Thank you!
Hi! Great info. Just one thing… I’m still concerned about stainless steel. My biological dentist just told me they can leech nickel, which is a carcinogen. Have you investigates this? Thanks!
Hi Bonnie,
Nickel can have allergic reactions to some people so if you are allergic, you may avoid using stainless steel which contain nickel. There are nickel free 18/0 stainless steel available. Nickel is also an occupational hazard. Inhaling this substance is hazardous to your lungs and nasal canal. According to Agency For Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, cancers of the lung and nasal sinus have resulted when workers breathed dust containing high levels of nickel compounds while working in nickel refineries or nickel processing plants. Ingesting large amounts of nickel has caused lung disease in dogs and rats. They also state that exposures to nickel of the general population from other sources, such as foods and drinking water, are almost always too low to be of concern. Hope this helps!
Are the brands listed above safe or simply the models highlighted? Thanks!
Hi Lisa,
Clear glass (no leaded crystal glass, colored glass or glass with decorations) and stainless steel materials are safe. All the mugs listed here are made of these materials. Hope this helps!
Hi thanks for this . Have these recommendations been tested for lead?
Hi Rpxana,
Plain, clear glass material normally doesn’t contain glazes (which lead is found) unless there is decorations or painting. Also, clear glass typically doesn’t use lead as an ingredient unless the glass is leaded crystal. Hope this helps!
Thanks for the article and it is reallly informative ..I have couple of questions,
Are all porcelin /ceramic cups contain lead? I was looking at aozita cups on amazon and they state it is lead free ..Not sure if really they are lead free.I wanted 2-3 ounce espresso cups and its hard to find the complete glass ones and also i see they are breaking when hot liquid is poured.. so do u have any suggestions for the small cups?
Hi Suchira,
Not all porcelain/ ceramic cups contain lead and I can’t be sure if the porcelain/ ceramic products are really lead free. Therefore, I would stick with a clear glass material. Here are some suggestions for espresso glasses. They are made for hot liquid such as espresso. Hope this helps!
DeLonghi Double Walled Thermo Espresso Glasses
Kitchables Espresso Cups Shot Glass
Bodum Pavina Glass, Double-Wall Insulated Glass
Eparé Espresso Glasses
Terrific article
Thank you!
Thank you so much for sharing this! I have been making the switch for my family and have almost gotten our kitchen toxic free! This article and the one on dinnerware was such a eye opener and we made the switch with our dinnerware a few months ago!
Question: my girls and I love having tea parties and I have a old china set that we use. I would assume since this one has purple flowers all over it it probably contains a glaze and lead? Do you have any suggestions for tea pots?
Thank you so much!
Hi Erin,
I wouldn’t know for sure until the old china set is tested. Old chinas can have lead and cadmium. Therefore, there is always possibility that your old china set may contain or contaminated with those chemicals. I would avoid using them if I am not sure. I think there are local labs that do testings. However, I believe there are cost associated with a testing.
Hi, do you have recommendations for regular daily drinking glasses? Also, brands for organic kids clothing would be nice to know. Love all your info.
Hi Lorraine,
Here are some suggestions for drinking glasses.
Stainless Steel Material
Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Pint Glasses
FineDine Premium Grade Stainless Steel Pint Cups Water Tumblers
Greens Steel Stainless Steel Cups 16oz Pint Cup Tumbler
Glass Material
Highball Glasses [Set of 4] + 4 Stainless Steel Straws, 16 oz Lead-Free Crystal Clear Glass
Luigi Bormioli Sublime 20 oz Beverage Glasses
Glass Cups, Lead-free Drinking Glasses with Heavy-duty Square Bottom
Drinking Glassware Set by Home Essentials and Beyond
Hope this helps! For organic kids clothing, what age range kids clothing are you looking for?
Isabelle, I love your posts! Would you consider doing a post on stainless steel sinks and faucets for the kitchen? I have read not all stainless steel is created equal and the certifications are confusing at best. I am interested in the safety of the materials foremost. Thanks for your consideration.
Hi Marianne,
I will see what I can do. It may take some time though. Thank you!
Hi Marianne,
You can read a post I wrote about stainless steel kitchen sink at this link. Hope this helps you choose a kitchen sink that fits your needs.
If the stainless steel mug is 18/8 food grade does that mean it doesn’t contain lead or cadmium, and I have another question, when you buy a stainless steel mug and it has a color on the outside, I think they call it powder coating, is that safe and non toxic. Thank you so much.
Hi Deborah,
Stainless steel doesn’t use lead or cadmium as ingredients. Therefore, it doesn’t contain lead or cadmium. Also, there is no known health dangers from powder coating painting. The powders used in powder coating processes contain no solvents and therefore their amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is negligible. Hope this helps!
I am so sad that that the extra larger glass mug isn’t on amazon anymore 🙁 I make matcha latte every morning and as I was drinking out of my mug I thought, this thing is probably toxic, and ended up on your site haha. I love huge mugs. any idea if theres anything like the one you shared in your article, in regards to size, non toxic, and it being glass? thanks for a great article!
Hi Valerie,
Sorry for a late reply.
I couldn’t really find extra large glasses. Then I came across this 24 oz large glass coffee mug as below.
LUXU 24 OZ Glass Coffee Mugs
Hope this helps!