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Which Plastic Bottles Don't Leach Chemicals?

All plastic bottles leach chemicals in some degree. It is a matter of determining if the chemicals are inherently harmful, and if the levels reach a point that is cause for concern. Plastic bottles are made of chains of organic chemicals with additives to give certain properties. Any of these have the potential to leach in some amount. The issues arise around what levels of certain chemicals are considered harmful.

  1. Leaching from Solids to Liquids

    • The world is made up of chemicals. Many are fairly inert, while many others are needed to sustain life. Water is a solvent that can contain other chemicals. Many of these can be beneficial, such as electrolytes and certain minerals. However, water can also contain chemicals that may be harmful. Chemicals like to spread out. Where chemicals are concentrated in one state, and they come in contact with another medium where that chemical is not found, they will try to work their way over to the new medium. All plastics will give up some chemical compounds over time. Some do it more readily than others, and some of what they give up is more dangerous than other compounds.

    Plastic Types

    • High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is the most common type of plastic with a low levels of chemicals that leach out of it. This is one reason why HDPE bottles are commonly used in chemistry laboratories to store chemical solutions. Polycarbonate bottles (hard, clear plastic) have been found to leach bisphenol-A (BPA) which raises health concerns, especially for children in early developmental stages.

    Determining Plastic Types

    • Almost all plastic containers have a recycling code on them. These are numbers within the recycling symbol, a triangle made of arrows. Polycarbonate bottles are denoted by the number seven. Polyethylenes, HDPE and LDPE respectively, are denoted by the numbers two and four. Most often seen is the number one, PET, which is what is used for most bottled water and sport drink applications.

    Other Alternatives

    • Glass is the safest material from a chemical leaching standpoint. However, it is not a great option for a portable water source due to its fragility. Metal water containers are more practical. Stainless steel is a safe alternative. Aluminum bottles that do not have plastic linings are also a reasonable alternative to plastic bottles.

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