A Taiwanese man in his 50s has died from lead poisoning after using the same thermos mug for nearly 30 years, according to a case revealed by nephrologist Hung Yung-hsiang.
The doctor explained that the man was taken to hospital after crashing his car into a shop while driving to work and appearing confused and disoriented. He was admitted for further examination, where specialists discovered severe anemia, cerebral cortical atrophy, and abnormal kidney function. As doctors investigated the cause, they determined that the symptoms were the result of long-term lead poisoning.
Further tests traced the source back to the man’s old thermos mug, which had rusted internally over decades of use. The rust allowed lead to leach into his drinks over time, gradually poisoning his body. The man had reportedly suffered from ongoing fatigue and a loss of taste, warning signs that were later linked to the lead exposure.
Hung Yung-hsiang used the case to warn the public about the hidden risks of using the same thermos or drinking container for many years. He advised replacing thermos mugs regularly, noting that wear, rust, and internal damage may not be visible but can pose serious health dangers.
The doctor has shared similar cases on social media to raise awareness, including another patient who developed kidney failure after daily coffee consumption using poor-quality or stale materials. He emphasized that attempting to save money by reusing unsafe containers can come at a devastating cost to long-term health.