What Are the Pros & Cons of Using Plastic Bottles Containing Bisphenol A?

Bisphenol A is commonly used to make polycarbonate plastic, including those used in plastic bottle production. Studies have shown that the function of Bisphenol A as an endocrine disruptor can lead to health problems in humans, particularly infants and young children. Most countries establish regulations regarding what is considered to be a safe level of Bisphenol A use.

Pros

• Bisphenol A has been used in plastics production for over 50 years. The plastics produced with Bisphenol A can be clear, almost shatterproof, and very durable. Due to its durability, Bisphenol A-produced plastics are used in water bottles, sporting goods, dental fillings and devices, medical devices, lenses for eyeglasses, DVDs and CDs, and many household electronics. Bisphenol A has also been used as a flame-retardant material, a fungicide, and in epoxy resins used to coat food and beverage containers. The advantages of Bisphenol A lie in its strength and versatility.

Cons

• Bisphenol A has been linked to a number of health and environmental problems. Under the auspices of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, a panel of experts concluded that Bisphenol A had potentially negative effects on fetal and infant brain development and behavior. Bisphenol A levels have also been linked with obesity, neurologic problems, behavioral issues, memory impairment, mood alteration, learning impairments, and other health problems.

Identification

• Many different types of plastic bottles are on the current market, and not all of them are made with Bisphenol A. The classification of plastics system in use in the United States can be used by consumers to ascertain whether Bisphenol A is present in a particular plastic bottle. Plastics are classified into seven types--some Type 7 plastics do contain Bisphenol A. Particularly likely to contain Bisphenol A are Type 7 plastics labeled "PC." Type 3 plastics can also contain Bisphenol A, particularly likely in those plastics of a flexible PVC type. Type 6 (polystyrene) plastics do not contain Bisphenol A, nor do polystyrenes have the potential to break down into Bisphenol A.