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 out of 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.
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 and stainless steel water bottles are also safe choices and can be reused repeatedly and eventually recycled.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
2 biggest concerns about reusing bottles
Bacteria
There are two main health issues to keep in mind when considering whether to reuse water bottles. The first is the risk of bacterial contamination. Single use plastic water bottles, of the type most bottled water comes in, have very narrow openings which makes them difficult to clean. The opening can be so small that you can’t fit a brush into the bottle to clean the bottom and sides. Over time, if you reuse water bottles, bacteria can build up. The plastic in single use water bottles can also develop small cracks after repeated use providing a place for bacteria to hide and contaminate the water. These bottles also don’t hold up well to the temperature of a dishwasher and the heat can cause further cracking and damage to the bottles.
Leaching
The second health issue relating to the reuse of plastic water bottles is the potential for plasticizer to leech into the water. If single use plastic bottles are washed in warm water, it can hasten the breakdown of the plastic fabric and lead to leeching of chemicals
into the water. There’s increasing concern about this particular issue with some experts saying that plastic bottles are unsafe even for single use. It’s believed that these bottles may set around in warm warehouses where the heat could cause chemicals to enter the water even before they reach store shelves. The chemical of concern, known as bisphenol A, is believed to alter the levels of certain hormones in the human body which may increase the risk of certain types of cancer, particularly breast and prostate. Bottles made of polycarbonate, marked with a number seven, are at the greatest risk of leeching bisphenol A.
Are There Safe Alternatives?
Rather than reusing water bottles, a safer solution may be to buy a stainless steel water container for carrying water to and from the gym. These bottles, found in the camping supply section of stores such as Walmart are believed to be safe and are easy to care for and clean. They’re a nice alternative to plastic.
There are two main health issues to keep in mind when considering whether to reuse water bottles. The first is the risk of bacterial contamination. Single use plastic water bottles, of the type most bottled water comes in, have very narrow openings which makes them difficult to clean. The opening can be so small that you can’t fit a brush into the bottle to clean the bottom and sides. Over time, if you reuse water bottles, bacteria can build up. The plastic in single use water bottles can also develop small cracks after repeated use providing a place for bacteria to hide and contaminate the water. These bottles also don’t hold up well to the temperature of a dishwasher and the heat can cause further cracking and damage to the bottles.
Leaching
The second health issue relating to the reuse of plastic water bottles is the potential for plasticizer to leech into the water. If single use plastic bottles are washed in warm water, it can hasten the breakdown of the plastic fabric and lead to leeching of chemicals
into the water. There’s increasing concern about this particular issue with some experts saying that plastic bottles are unsafe even for single use. It’s believed that these bottles may set around in warm warehouses where the heat could cause chemicals to enter the water even before they reach store shelves. The chemical of concern, known as bisphenol A, is believed to alter the levels of certain hormones in the human body which may increase the risk of certain types of cancer, particularly breast and prostate. Bottles made of polycarbonate, marked with a number seven, are at the greatest risk of leeching bisphenol A.
Are There Safe Alternatives?
Rather than reusing water bottles, a safer solution may be to buy a stainless steel water container for carrying water to and from the gym. These bottles, found in the camping supply section of stores such as Walmart are believed to be safe and are easy to care for and clean. They’re a nice alternative to plastic.
MORE INFO ON POSSIBLE TOXINS
The concerns over the safety of the plastic used in single-use water bottles are refuted by the International Bottled Water Association:
"FDA assesses the migration potential of plastics and the substances with which they are made. FDA allows food-contact plastics for their intended use based on migration and safety data. The clearance process includes stringent requirements for estimating the levels at which such materials may transfer to the diet. FDA's safety criteria require extensive toxicity testing for any substance that may be ingested at more than negligible levels.
This means FDA has affirmatively determined that, when plastics are used as intended in food-contact applications, the nature and amount of substances that may migrate, if any, are safe."
The issue of chemicals leaching into water bottles is discussed at length by the Snopes Urban Legends site, Bottle Royale.
Bacterial Concerns for All Water Bottles: The real culprits for the safety of reusing any water bottle are the bacteria and fungi that can grow in damp or partially full bottles once they have been opened. These bacteria generally come from your hands and mouth, or any dirt that comes in contact with the mouth of the bottle.
"FDA assesses the migration potential of plastics and the substances with which they are made. FDA allows food-contact plastics for their intended use based on migration and safety data. The clearance process includes stringent requirements for estimating the levels at which such materials may transfer to the diet. FDA's safety criteria require extensive toxicity testing for any substance that may be ingested at more than negligible levels.
This means FDA has affirmatively determined that, when plastics are used as intended in food-contact applications, the nature and amount of substances that may migrate, if any, are safe."
The issue of chemicals leaching into water bottles is discussed at length by the Snopes Urban Legends site, Bottle Royale.
Bacterial Concerns for All Water Bottles: The real culprits for the safety of reusing any water bottle are the bacteria and fungi that can grow in damp or partially full bottles once they have been opened. These bacteria generally come from your hands and mouth, or any dirt that comes in contact with the mouth of the bottle.
Freezing Water Bottles
The claim that plastic water bottles will release dioxins when frozen is entirely unfounded. So is the claim that plastic food wraps and containers can release dioxins in the microwave oven.
The vast majority of plastics used in food wraps, packaging containers and beverage bottles do not contain the chemical constituents that form dioxins. In addition, dioxins are a family of compounds that are produced by combustion at high temperatures. They can only be formed during combustion at temperatures typically above 700 degrees Fahrenheit; they cannot be formed at room temperature or in freezing temperatures.
The vast majority of plastics used in food wraps, packaging containers and beverage bottles do not contain the chemical constituents that form dioxins. In addition, dioxins are a family of compounds that are produced by combustion at high temperatures. They can only be formed during combustion at temperatures typically above 700 degrees Fahrenheit; they cannot be formed at room temperature or in freezing temperatures.
Is reusing plastic water bottles harmful?
Reusing Plastic Bottles Can Pose Serious Health Hazards
Refilling and reusing plastic bottles can release toxic cancer-causing chemicals
By Larry West (about.com)
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).
Chemicals May Contaminate Food and Drinks in Reused Plastic BottlesStudies 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.
Reused Plastic Bottles Can Leach Toxic ChemicalsThe 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.
Even Plastic Water and Soda Bottles Should Not Be ReusedHealth 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 re-use should be avoided because studies indicate they may leach DEHP—another probable human carcinogen—when they are in less-than-perfect condition.
Millions of Plastic Bottles End Up in LandfillsThe 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.
Incinerating Plastic Bottles Releases Toxic ChemicalsAnother 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.
Safe Reusable Bottles Do ExistSafer choices include bottles crafted from safer HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, AKA plastic #4) or polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5). Aluminum bottles, such as those made by SIGG and sold in many natural food and natural product markets, and stainless steel water bottles are also safe choices and can be reused repeatedly and eventually recycled.
Refilling and reusing plastic bottles can release toxic cancer-causing chemicals
By Larry West (about.com)
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).
Chemicals May Contaminate Food and Drinks in Reused Plastic BottlesStudies 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.
Reused Plastic Bottles Can Leach Toxic ChemicalsThe 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.
Even Plastic Water and Soda Bottles Should Not Be ReusedHealth 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 re-use should be avoided because studies indicate they may leach DEHP—another probable human carcinogen—when they are in less-than-perfect condition.
Millions of Plastic Bottles End Up in LandfillsThe 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.
Incinerating Plastic Bottles Releases Toxic ChemicalsAnother 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.
Safe Reusable Bottles Do ExistSafer choices include bottles crafted from safer HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, AKA plastic #4) or polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5). Aluminum bottles, such as those made by SIGG and sold in many natural food and natural product markets, and stainless steel water bottles are also safe choices and can be reused repeatedly and eventually recycled.
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