If you are a big water drinker, chances are you carry around multiple types of plastic water bottles from the car to the gym, to work, etc. I was watching the morning news today and there was a discussion about the possible dangers of plastic water bottles. I had heard of this before but seeing it brought up again made me want to take a deeper look.
It seems that the culprit in these plastic bottles is a chemical called BPA which stands for Biphenol A. This chemical has been linked to cancer, reproductive issues, and endocrine damage in animals. There has not been enough research conducted as to whether BPA is dangerous to humans, however, it is understandable to be concerned.
There are various types of plastic bottles on the market which all range in safety levels according to the type of material used in manufacturing. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types:
Bottled Water
From what I have read and watched on the news, the typical bottled water is probably the safest bottle of them all. It’s a good idea to only use these bottles once.
Nalgene Bottles
These bottles do contain BPA but are still considered safe, however, it is recommended to use the BPA-free versions.
Soft Plastic Bottles
These are your general squeeze (sports) bottles you often use on a bicycle or while running. These are BPA-free but should be washed regularly.
Stainless Steel Bottles
These bottles are probably the best choice since they contain no plastic at all. They are much longer lasting and are dishwasher safe.
BPA-Free Bottles
Considering these bottles don’t contain BPA, they are considered safe, but they are still very new on the scene and will probably undergo more testing.
You may have also heard about the flipping your bottles over and checking out the number on the bottom. The numbers range from 1 to 7. Bottles with a 7 on the bottom are the ones to avoid unless the bottle is labeled BPA-free.
In the end, the choice is yours whether you are truly concerned about the possible health risks or not. I tend to play it on the safe side when it comes to health related issues. What do you think? Are you concerned about the plastic bottle drama?
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh dear. I drink lots of water each day. And guess what I use? Re-used plastic water bottles. I think perhaps I should invest in one of those stainless steel bottles.
I would use the stainless steel bottles for 3 reasons: #1 They can be used over and over again and seem more practical to me. #2 I can keep the same bottle and customize it with stickers and other stuff that I like. #3 If there is a possiblity that BPA is bad for you, why not air on the side of caution and use something like a steel bottle?
Never thought about the stainless steel bottles. Good article. Informative to me. I drink so much water each day in a plastic bottle, so of course, now, I am going to be a little cautious.
I left my Nalgene bottle in the car too long and I can’t get a strange smell out of it. I’ve been hearing about these stainless bottles lately and think I might give them a try. Thanks for taking your time and sharing all this great info.
I use plastic bottle in my office, I have to think about it.
I read somewhere that a new water bottle company is entering the market which produces a safer type of plastic bottle and actively encourages you to reuse it and top it up with tap water – as opposed to going out and buying £1 bottles of Evian!
I also read that the amount of litres people in the UK buy everyday of bottled water is in the millions! Madness when you think that 99.5% of all water in the UK is safe to drink!
I’d read elsewhere that if you leave plastic water bottles in the car they can release chemicals into the bottle… got me worried now!
Great post, I have recently switched to a metal bottle. Its great! I bought it at Whole Foods, no harmful chemicals, just a great water bottle.
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