|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutrition

Risks of Aluminum Bottles

Many people have chosen aluminum bottles over plastic in the belief that aluminum is safer due to a chemical used in plastics known as bisphenol-A, or BPA, which has been proven hazardous when consumed. Yet, the manufacturing of aluminum bottles still includes a coating of this chemical within the inside of the bottle. This layer of BPA greatly increases the risks of aluminum bottles.

  1. What is BPA?

    • Aluminum seems superior to plastics for your health and the environment.

      Scientists believe that BPA is used in the epoxy lining the insides of aluminum bottles, which would equate to the same risks induced by plastic. BPA is an essential chemical used in the industrial manufacturing process of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, among other products. It was initially approved for food contact by the Food and Drug Association of the United States, the European Commission's Scientific Committee on Food, the United Kingdom Food Standards Agency, the Japanese Ministry for Health, and other regulatory bodies around the globe. These committees found that human beings do not consume enough of BPA to cause any changes in bodily health; however, in January 2010 the FDA of the U.S. announced that it wished to reverse its stance on BPA. As of 2010, it is believed that this chemical can be linked to diseases such as cancer, sexual dysfunction and heart disease. In addition, BPA is hazardous for the development of fetuses, infants and young children. This chemical is so prevalent in American society that 90 percent of the U.S. population is believed to have traces of BPA in its urine.

    BPA in Aluminum Bottles

    • You can purchase BPA-free plastics, and some aluminum bottle manufacturers claim to have BPA-free liners. Yet, the endocrine-disrupting BPA chemical is still lurking in many aluminum bottles. This micro-thin liner that is baked on during the manufacturing process to protect drinkers from consuming trace amounts of aluminum. However, if the metal is scratched, it can release BPA and aluminum into your body through your beverage. Anyone using an aluminum bottle should beware scratching this protective coating in order to prevent exposure to BPA or trace amounts of aluminum. In addition, try to purchase a bottle that is BPA-free. In addition, putting extremely hot items into your aluminum bottle can also release these chemicals. Toxins can also be released into your beverage by leaving your aluminum bottle in the sun or in high temperatures.

    Minimizing Risks

    • If you were to place an extremely hot beverage into your aluminum bottle, you may reverse the baking process which seals the safety liner. If this liner is damaged in any way, then BPA can be released into your beverage, as well as aluminum particles. This could cause heavy metal poisoning or the aforementioned health side effects of BPA. The results are similar if you decide to leave your aluminum bottle filled with a beverage out in the hot sun. In extreme temperatures, the molecular structure of the polymer liner within the bottle could break down, again allowing aluminum and BPA to seep into your beverage. Finally, when cleaning your aluminum bottle, be sure not to scratch the interior, as this will increase the changes of aluminum and BPA exposure. By taking care of the interior of your aluminum bottle, you greatly decrease the risk of illness caused by BPA or heavy metals.

Nutrition - Related Articles