Barbara Barthelmes's List: Plastic Bottles

• Although the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved PET plastic as a food-contact material, repeated use of water bottles made from PET has been shown to increase harmful bacteria levels. Bacteria from the user's hands and mouth, for example, accumulate when the bottle isn't washed between uses. In addition, repeated hot-water washing and handling of PET water bottles may break down the plastic, leaching toxic compounds, such as DEHA, into the beverage inside. (See References 2.)
• Bisphenol A (BPA) is a compound used in many plastic containers, such as the durable, reusable plastic bottles sold in many sporting goods stores
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Toxicology Program have expressed substantial concerns about the effects of BPA on the endocrine and cardiovascular systems; infants and children are at particular risk (see References 3)
• Safe alternatives to plastic water bottles include reusable bottles made of stainless steel, glass and some types of aluminum. Stainless steel is preferable, as it is durable and unbreakable; it does not leach and does not cause the contents to taste like metal
• Plastic bottles present substantial air pollution concerns when they are incinerated with regular trash, creating toxic smoke and fumes.
• These fumes are not only a health risk but they also create greenhouse gases (see References 5)

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