In Prong One I covered some of the dangers in the production and creation of a plastic water bottle. Here are some of the concerns about using them.
First I’d like to point out that our bodies are exceptionally resistant to contaminants. We’ve all been exposed to some degree of bacteria, viruses and chemicals without dire consequences. Many chemicals we worry about are already in our environment. An example is dioxin residue in lake sediment from ancient volcanic eruptions.
What we don’t know is how much our bodies can tolerate of any particular exposure, or a particular combination of exposures, before we reach the tipping point and experience a negative effect. The concern is how to minimize our exposure so we don’t reach that tipping point.
Thankfully, there is finally attention being directed at the question of contaminants in plastic. This affects bottles, toys and other food containers. The main areas of concern that have evolved are the possible carcinogenic (cancer causing) and hormonal system effects.
We know that numerous chemical additives that are used in plastic have the potential to disrupt our endocrine system. Known as endocrine disruptor's, they can attach to receptor cells and change our normal hormonal signals causing cell division and alter the way genes behave. Evidence is mounting that endocrine disruptor's may play a role in autism, cancer, diabetes, earlier puberty, attention deficit disorders, immunity and infertility.
What we want to know is: Do these chemical additives really have the potential to leach out of the plastic and affect us? If so, do actions such as heating them have an effect?
These questions have been around for a while and we are beginning to get some answers. Note that this is really only the beginning, but the initial evidence is not encouraging.
As we learned in Prong One, there are countless chemicals (I only listed a handful) in different plastics, most of which are of concern on some level. Many are inert once the plastic has been molded into a functional container. There are currently two plastics being scrutinized for effects on the consumer after purchase:
1. Polycarbonate Bottles – These are identified by the triangle with the # 7 on the bottom. #7 stand for "other" plastics. Not all #7 are polycarbonate, but all polycarbonate will be #7. These are not recyclable. Uses include food and drink containers, can linings, baby bottles, IV equipment and plastic wrap.
Polycarbonate plastic contains Bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A can “turn on” estrogen receptors in the body. Thus it may act as a hormone. It is of great concern for infants who may be susceptible to liver damage and genital effects, and teens whose developing bodies are susceptible to hormonal fluctuations. Studies have also implicated them in breast and uterine cancer.
Some studies have indicated that it can migrate from the plastic to a person in contact with it. In 2007 a research study conducted at the University of Cincinnati determined exposing a plastic bottle to boiling water can release the BPA up to 55 times faster than normal. The Chicago City Council and the Connecticut state legislature have banned bisphenol-A from food and beverage containers intended for use by children and babies. It’s also being scrutinized in medical equipment such as IV bags. (See More Bad News About Plastics) .
2. Polyethlene terephthalate Bottles (PET) –PET is recyclable in most areas and can be identified by the triangle with the # 1 on the bottom.
PET bottles contain phthalates. Phthalates are plasticizers that make plastic pliable. Phthalates are used as an additive in vinyl i.e. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. They are used in products like pipes, window frames, flooring, appliances, credit cards and lawn furniture. A form of phthalate, DEHP, is used in PET plastic. DEHP is a possible human carcinogen (causes cancer), and the bottles may leach DEHP when they are worn or heated.
PET has also been implicated as an estrogenic (mimicking estrogen hormones).
In a paper published on line on March 12, 2009 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research a species of snail that is sensitive to estrogen showed significant evidence of estrogen presence when cultured in washed out PET water bottles.
There was also some evidence of lessor estrogenic effects when snails were cultured in glass bottles. The question arises whether there are some naturally occurring effects. The PET was clearly a factor in the increased effect in this study. Whether this effect was caused by the DEHP or another additive remains to be seen.
#2, 4 & 5 are currently the safest plastic for food containers. As we saw in Prong One, no plastic is made without toxic chemicals. So to be safe using any plastic, just in case - don’t microwave, don’t heat, don’t use if they are scratched up and abraded. The softer the plastic, or if it’s colored, the more likely there are additives that are suspect.
When you can use glass, stainless steel, stone and other more natural and sustainable containers you’re protecting yourself and the environment.
First I’d like to point out that our bodies are exceptionally resistant to contaminants. We’ve all been exposed to some degree of bacteria, viruses and chemicals without dire consequences. Many chemicals we worry about are already in our environment. An example is dioxin residue in lake sediment from ancient volcanic eruptions.
What we don’t know is how much our bodies can tolerate of any particular exposure, or a particular combination of exposures, before we reach the tipping point and experience a negative effect. The concern is how to minimize our exposure so we don’t reach that tipping point.
Thankfully, there is finally attention being directed at the question of contaminants in plastic. This affects bottles, toys and other food containers. The main areas of concern that have evolved are the possible carcinogenic (cancer causing) and hormonal system effects.
We know that numerous chemical additives that are used in plastic have the potential to disrupt our endocrine system. Known as endocrine disruptor's, they can attach to receptor cells and change our normal hormonal signals causing cell division and alter the way genes behave. Evidence is mounting that endocrine disruptor's may play a role in autism, cancer, diabetes, earlier puberty, attention deficit disorders, immunity and infertility.
What we want to know is: Do these chemical additives really have the potential to leach out of the plastic and affect us? If so, do actions such as heating them have an effect?
These questions have been around for a while and we are beginning to get some answers. Note that this is really only the beginning, but the initial evidence is not encouraging.
As we learned in Prong One, there are countless chemicals (I only listed a handful) in different plastics, most of which are of concern on some level. Many are inert once the plastic has been molded into a functional container. There are currently two plastics being scrutinized for effects on the consumer after purchase:
1. Polycarbonate Bottles – These are identified by the triangle with the # 7 on the bottom. #7 stand for "other" plastics. Not all #7 are polycarbonate, but all polycarbonate will be #7. These are not recyclable. Uses include food and drink containers, can linings, baby bottles, IV equipment and plastic wrap.
Polycarbonate plastic contains Bisphenol A (BPA). Bisphenol A can “turn on” estrogen receptors in the body. Thus it may act as a hormone. It is of great concern for infants who may be susceptible to liver damage and genital effects, and teens whose developing bodies are susceptible to hormonal fluctuations. Studies have also implicated them in breast and uterine cancer.
Some studies have indicated that it can migrate from the plastic to a person in contact with it. In 2007 a research study conducted at the University of Cincinnati determined exposing a plastic bottle to boiling water can release the BPA up to 55 times faster than normal. The Chicago City Council and the Connecticut state legislature have banned bisphenol-A from food and beverage containers intended for use by children and babies. It’s also being scrutinized in medical equipment such as IV bags. (See More Bad News About Plastics) .
2. Polyethlene terephthalate Bottles (PET) –PET is recyclable in most areas and can be identified by the triangle with the # 1 on the bottom.
PET bottles contain phthalates. Phthalates are plasticizers that make plastic pliable. Phthalates are used as an additive in vinyl i.e. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic. They are used in products like pipes, window frames, flooring, appliances, credit cards and lawn furniture. A form of phthalate, DEHP, is used in PET plastic. DEHP is a possible human carcinogen (causes cancer), and the bottles may leach DEHP when they are worn or heated.
PET has also been implicated as an estrogenic (mimicking estrogen hormones).
In a paper published on line on March 12, 2009 in Environmental Science and Pollution Research a species of snail that is sensitive to estrogen showed significant evidence of estrogen presence when cultured in washed out PET water bottles.
There was also some evidence of lessor estrogenic effects when snails were cultured in glass bottles. The question arises whether there are some naturally occurring effects. The PET was clearly a factor in the increased effect in this study. Whether this effect was caused by the DEHP or another additive remains to be seen.
#2, 4 & 5 are currently the safest plastic for food containers. As we saw in Prong One, no plastic is made without toxic chemicals. So to be safe using any plastic, just in case - don’t microwave, don’t heat, don’t use if they are scratched up and abraded. The softer the plastic, or if it’s colored, the more likely there are additives that are suspect.
When you can use glass, stainless steel, stone and other more natural and sustainable containers you’re protecting yourself and the environment.
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