|  | Public Health Safety | Environmental Health

Safe Alternative to Plastic Water Bottles

Consumers are in increasingly turning to reusable water bottles and thermoses, finding the use of filtered tap water both environmentally and economically favorable. A study by the Environmental Working Group showed that bottled water is no safer than tap water. With the FDA setting standards for bottled water and the EPA setting standards for tap water, tap water is tested for contaminants hundreds of times a month while bottled water adheres to less strict standards. So while for many the choice is clear, safe containment is the other topic of concern.

  1. Bisphenol A

    • When choosing a water bottle (or baby bottle or any other food or drink container), the main safety concern is a chemical called Bisphenol A (BPA). This chemical, a known endocrine disruptor, can leach through containers into their contents. According to findings by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), there is "some concern for effects on the brain, behavior and prostate gland in fetuses, infants and children at current human exposures to bisphenol A."

    What to Avoid

    • Hard plastic bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol are ones to look out for, as they tend to be culprits for BPA leaching. But your best bet is to check the manufacturer's Website to make sure the product you use is BPA-free.

    Safe Plastic Alternatives

    • Safer plastics include the Nalgene line made from Eastman Tritan copolyester, a BPA-free polymer alternative, according to the company that makes these bottles. Companies like Avent and Born Free offer BPA-free plastic baby bottles made with Polyethersulfone (PES), a hard resin plastic that is similar in weight and feel to polycarbonate but with a much higher heat resistance.

    Bottles Made from Other Materials

    • Good alternatives to plastic bottles include lightweight, aluminum-constructed bottles by companies like SIGG. Another durable, portable option is stainless steel bottles by companies like Klean Kanteen and Born Free.

    Where to Find Products

    • With increasing awareness, companies are stepping up their efforts to provide BPA-free alternatives and gradually remove BPA-laden products from their lines. There are plenty of easily accessible and affordable brands, available everywhere from Whole Foods to Target.

Environmental Health - Related Articles