Harmful Plastic Bottles

The widespread use of plastic bottles has caused Americans to look deeper into the possible health impact of plastic storage. Some studies show that certain chemicals used in plastic bottles could "leach" into the body and cause serious side effects. While some academic studies show harmful effects of plastic bottles, none has met the scrutiny of testing of federal agencies like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The only acknowledged harm from plastic bottles are the sanitary conditions of its users.

History of Plastic

• Alexander Parkes showed the first ever plastic material at the 1862 Great International Exhibition in London. Nicknamed Parkesine, the material used a cellulose compound and claimed to offer an alternative to rubber. Parkesine soon floundered as it became too costly to produce. The kind of plastic used in water bottles, polyethylene, was invented during the early 1930s, by chance, in the laboratory of E.W. Fawcett and R.O. Gibson. (See Resource 1)

Chemical Leaching

• The idea that plastic bottles are dangerous derives from the idea that water can leach chemicals from plastic, especially after reuse. According to PlasticsInfo, a division of the American Chemistry Council, no scientifically accepted study shows that plastic bottles leach enough toxins to cause any harm. The FDA has deemed polyethylene--the main component of plastic bottles--safe for food and water storage. (See Reference 1)

International Policy

• Bisphenol A, a common chemical in plastic bottles, remains a controversial substance in the world of plastics. The "Boston Globe" reports a Harvard study on bisphenol found that people who drank out of bottles containing bisphenol A had a drastically higher bisphenol count in their urine--up to 70 percent in some cases. Bisphenol A increases the risk of birth defects and developmental problems. (See Reference 2)

  While current U.S. regulation does not find plastic bottles, specifically their use of bisphenol A, harmful enough to warrant public concern, Canada decided to ban plastic bottles containing bisphenol in 2008. The FDA and the American Chemistry Council agree that while the Harvard study did show increased levels of bisphenol, the concentration was not harmful enough to cause health problems. (See Reference 2)

Bacteria

• Although research on the toxicity and possible leaching of chemicals in plastic bottles continues, one thing for sure can cause harm: bacteria. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority states that chemical poisoning from plastics remains low, but reusing plastic bottles could invite a culture of bacteria. Bacteria can transfer from someone's mouth or hands and continue to expand. (See Reference 3)

Prevention/Solution

• The New Zealand Food Safety Authority offers a few helpful tips that severely reduce the danger of bacteria infestation on reused plastic bottles. Thoroughly wash and dry hands before refilling a bottle and do not use damaged bottles. Immediately rinse out water bottles with soap if you intend to reuse them in the future. Never share bottles with another person. (See Reference 3)