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PVC Bottled Water Safety Issues

A number of issues can affect the safety of bottled drinking water. While, according to the New York Times, the amount of bottled water consumed in America has doubled between 1998 and 2008, there are reasons to be concerned about its safety. Two studies presented to Congress in 2009 suggested that bottled water may not be as well-regulated as municipal tap water, and that its contents may contain a number of pollutants including those made by the bottle itself.

  1. Plastics in Bottles

    • The plastics used to manufacture bottles for water and other beverages like milk and sports drinks is most typically polyethylene terephlate (PET). The bottles do not contain PVCs, and while generally regarded as safe, have been under scrutiny since a study published in the The Royal Society of Chemistry's Journal in 2006. The study suggests that, over time, a chemical known as antimony leaks from the bottle into the water. The effects of antimony can vary from vomiting, depression and death. The study emphasizes that the quantities of the substance found in actual water tested was below official recommended levels, but increased dramatically over time.

    PVC

    • PVC are seldom used when producing water bottles, and are most often found in other plastics such as cling wrap. According to the National Institute of Health, PVCs can leak chemicals onto foods that are thought to be carcinogenic. The carcinogenic compound is created in the "plasticization" of the product.

    BPA

    • BPA is a chemical found in plastics commonly used to manufacture clear plastics. A study published by the Centers for Disease Control in 2008 found it was present in 93 percept of Americans tested. While there are tolerable limits of this substance in the body, reviews by the National Institute of Health suggests that levels typically present in average Americans may correlate to increased rates of a number of diseases including breast and prostate health. Clear water bottles may be one of the sources of BPA in the United States.

    Identifying Contaminants

    • When purchasing bottled water, or selected bottles to store tap water in, opaque bottles -- that is ones one that light does not pass through likely have been made without BPA. Additionally, if the bottle is made for recycling and is marked with "PC," the number "7," it was made using BPAs. Consumer Reports recommends using bottles made with polyethylene instead. It is also recommended to limit the amount of heat exposure and the length of use of the object. The harmful chemicals leech when plastics are heated, as well as under normal temperatures over time.

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