Dangers of Using Plastic Bottles

[Guest guest]

The Dangers of Using Plastic Bottles

Most types of plastic bottles are safe to reuse at least a few times if

properly washed with hot soapy water. But recent revelations about chemicals in

Lexan (plastic #7) bottles are enough to scare even the most committed

environmentalists from reusing them (or buying them in the first place). Studies

have indicated that food and drinks stored in such containers—including those

ubiquitous clear Nalgene water bottles hanging from just about every hiker’s

backpack—can contain trace amount of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical

that interferes with the body’s natural hormonal messaging system.

The same studies found that repeated re-use of such bottles—which get dinged

up through normal wear and tear and while being washed—increases the chance that

chemicals will leak out of the tiny cracks and crevices that develop over time.

According to the Environment California Research & Policy Center, which reviewed

130 studies on the topic, BPA has been linked to breast and uterine cancer, an

increased risk of miscarriage, and decreased testosterone levels. BPA can also

wreak havoc on children’s developing systems. (Parents beware: Most baby bottles

and sippy cups are made with plastics containing BPA.) Most experts agree that

the amount of BPA that could leach into food and drinks through normal handling

is probably very small, but there are concerns about the cumulative effect of

small doses.

Health advocates also recommend not reusing bottles made from plastic #1

(polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most

disposable water, soda and juice bottles. According to The Green Guide, such

bottles may be safe for one-time use, but reuse should be avoided because

studies indicate they may leach DEHP—another probable human carcinogen—when they

are in less than perfect condition. The good news is that such bottles are easy

to recycle; just about every municipal recycling system will take them back. But

using them is nonetheless far from environmentally responsible: The nonprofit

Berkeley Ecology Center found that the manufacture of plastic #1 uses large

amounts of energy and resources and generates toxic emissions and pollutants

that contribute to global warming. And even though PET bottles can be recycled,

millions find their way into landfills every day in the U.S. alone.

Another bad choice for water bottles, reusable or otherwise, is plastic #3

(polyvinyl chloride/PVC), which can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals into the

liquids they are storing and will release synthetic carcinogens into the

environment when incinerated. Plastic #6 (polystyrene/PS), has been shown to

leach styrene, a probable human carcinogen, into food and drinks as well.

 

Safer choices include bottles crafted from safer HDPE (plastic #2),

low-density polyethylene (LDPE, AKA plastic #4) or polypropylene (PP, or plastic

#5). Consumers may have a hard time finding water bottles made out of #4 or #5,

however. Aluminum bottles, such as those made by SIGG and sold in many natural

food and product markets, and stainless steel water bottles are also safe

choices and can be reused repeatedly and eventually recycled.

 

Reprinted with permission

EarthTalk, c/o E - The Environmental Magazine

http://www.emagazine.com/earthtalk/thisweek/