Man Who Drank Coffee from the Same Container for 20 Years Dies of Lead Poisoning [Health Talk]

[Financial News] A case has been reported in Taiwan in which a man died from lead poisoning after using the same vacuum bottle every day for 20 years.
According to local media such as TVBS News, a Taiwanese man in his 50s, referred to as Mr. A, crashed his car into a restaurant while driving to work.
He had more than 30 years of driving experience as a veteran driver, but it was found that he did not even step on the brakes at the time of the accident.
After being taken to the hospital, Mr. A rapidly developed symptoms similar to dementia, including a sharp decline in memory and judgment.
His condition worsened to the point that he could no longer swallow food properly, and about a year after the accident he died from aspiration pneumonia.
Detailed examinations at the hospital revealed a high concentration of lead in his body. The medical team concluded that lead poisoning had severely damaged his brain function, resulting in a loss of cognitive abilities.
It was found that for 20 years Mr. A had been drinking hot coffee every day from a vacuum bottle whose interior was heavily scratched and rusted. The medical staff pointed out, “If acidic coffee is stored for a long time in an old stainless-steel vacuum bottle, the risk of leaching of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium increases dramatically.”
Experts advise that if you notice a metallic taste when using a vacuum bottle, or if there is rust or scratching inside, dents on the outside, or a sudden drop in heat-retention performance, the bottle should be replaced immediately.
The typical lifespan of a vacuum bottle is considered to be about one to two years. Even if it looks fine on the outside, once the vacuum structure is damaged, heavy metals can leach out through microcracks or bacteria can proliferate.
When cleaning, a soft tool should be used instead of a steel scrubber to avoid damaging the inner coating.
An expert warned, “If acidic or alkaline beverages such as lemonade, carbonated drinks, or herbal decoctions are stored in a vacuum bottle for a long time, the risk of heavy metal leaching increases,” adding, “Regular cleaning and periodic replacement of tumblers are necessary to prevent protein residues from getting trapped in crevices and becoming a breeding ground for bacteria.”
gaa1003@fnnews.com Ahn Gaeul Reporter