Several Plastic Bottles Found Unsafe to Reuse
The Arizona Republic presents another argument regarding the health risks of reusing plastic bottles, breaking down scientific findings of each bottle type in its EarthTalk section.
The author claims that certain types of plastic can release chemicals that affect your hormonal messaging system. The chance that these chemicals are released increases as bottles are washed or dinged up.
The chemical in question, Bisphenol A (BPA), has been linked to breast and uterine cancer as well as decreased testosterone levels. Health risks are posed from all plastic bottles except those made from #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE) and #5 (PP). To compound the issue, few plastic water bottles are made from LDPE or PP material.
For more information on plastic bottle disposal, visit Earth 911′s Bottle Recycling page.
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The below comments are closed and are listed for historical purposes.
Jimmy Markee
posted on April 9th, 2009 at 2:38 pm
Why are the safe # on bottles so few. I can barely find any with the “safe” numbers on the bottom. What is the E.P.A. doing to stop this? Where is the tax money going that is supposed to get something safer for us americans to drink. Whats wrong with this picture? Anyway may God bless us people who have to put up with this corruption, and also you if you can press this issue. Thank you. Jimmy Markee.
TheHammer610
posted on May 19th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
Many disposable water bottles are made from PET (recycle #1). PET never has BPA in it. BPA is found only in polycarbonate (one of the many plastics categorized under “other” recycling #7). BPA might be harmful because it can mimic estrogen. So does soy. I would not expose a pregnant woman, infant or small child to BPA. Nor would I recommend soy milk for that reason.
Ann Chenoweth
posted on May 5th, 2010 at 8:25 am
How healthy is it to drink consistently from a bottle marked with the LDPE #4?
I thank you for your time:)
Anni
Ann Chenoweth
posted on May 5th, 2010 at 8:29 am
I should have asked how un-healthy? They are years old (LDPE #4 water bottles) and are the best for sport use that I have found.
Ann Chenoweth