Chemicals in plastic water bottles can be a concern
By PAT DIECKHOFF - Northwest News Group
I drink a lot of water, but I want to try to make less
garbage and air pollution and use less oil. What types of refillable plastic
water bottles should I be using instead of the single-use water bottles? I have
heard that some refillable plastic bottles can cause health problems.
Most types of plastic bottles are safe to reuse a few times if properly washed
with hot soapy water (Emagazine Jan/Feb 2008).
That being said, recent studies show that the chemicals in plastic bottles No. 3
PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and No. 7 Lexan/polycarbonate have been found to
contain trace amounts of Bisphenol A (BPA). It is a synthetic chemical that is
an endocrine disruptor and has been linked to breast and uterine cancer and
other health issues. Of course, the amount of BPA that could leach through
normal handling is small, but the cumulative effects are the issue (Grist
Magazine online environmental news).
Also, plastic bottles No. 1 PETE (polyethylene terephthalate), which includes
most of our disposable plastic bottles, have been proven to leach DEHP after
repeated use. DEHP is another probable human carcinogen. Also, because of the
design, they harbor bacterial growth. Plastics No. 6 PS (polystyrene) leaches
styrene into food and drink. No. 6 is also a probable human carcinogen.
Three safer plastic choices include plastic No. 2 HDPE (high density
polyethylene), plastic No. 4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) and plastic No. 5
PP (polypropylene). Research has shown that these plastics don’t leach any
carcinogens or aren’t endocrine disruptors. (The Green Guide
thegreenguide.com, a National Geographic
publication).
Are there other safe choices for refillable bottles?
Aluminum and stainless-steel lightweight refillable bottles have been proven to
release no toxic chemicals.
Though they are a little more expensive, these two types of bottles have shown
that they do not leach chemicals, do not contain plastics and last a long time.
They are both made from a renewable resources and are easily recyclable after
many years of use. The aluminum bottles have a non-toxic coating on the inside.
Both can be easily cleaned and don’t harbor bacteria.
Where can I buy aluminum and stainless steel refillable bottles?
Online, of course.
Aluminum bottles are at SIGG USA (mysigg.com) and stainless steel bottles are at
KleanKanteen.com and
EnviroProductsInc.com. Check your
local health food store to see if they carry them as well.
• Pat Dieckhoff is the waste reduction assistant.
Send your recycling and reusing questions to the McHenry County Solid Waste
Coordinator at:
swmgmnt@co.mchenry.il.us. For a complete guide to local recycling and
recycled products, check the Recycling Directory for McHenry County at
mcdef.org/recy.pdf. For information
about how to start recycling at work, check the McHenry County Business
Recycling Guide at mcdef.org/busrec.pdf.
For hard copies, call 815-479-7817. The Recycling Round-up is a cooperative
effort of the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development
(815-334-4560), the Lou Marchi Total Recycling Institute at MCC (815-479-7817),
the McHenry County Defenders (815-338-0393) and the Algonquin Township Road
District.† Contact any of these groups with your recycling questions. |
Environmental
Defenders of McHenry County 
