The Safety of Plastic Drinking Bottles

Plastic drinking bottles contain chemicals that have proven to be toxic at certain levels. Experts agree that exposure to these chemicals may cause health problems, especially in women, children and fetuses.

Hormone Disruption

• Scientific research indicates that the type of plastic commonly used to make water bottles contains at least two chemicals that may be dangerous. Studies by Frederick vom Saal and Shanna Swan, among many others, have shown that phthalates and bisphenol-a (BPA) disrupt reproductive hormones such as estrogen. The disruption can lead to prostate and breast cancer and premature puberty.

How It Works

• Phthalates and BPA leach into liquids inside the bottles, especially when heated. When you swallow liquid containing these chemicals, you absorb them into your body, where they disrupt normal hormonal activity and balance.

Evidence

• Experts assembled by the National Institutes of Health reviewed hundreds of studies and concluded that there is a correlation between certain levels of BPA and disrupted hormonal activity. Studies conducted by chemical companies do not find such a connection, but those conducted outside of the industry almost always have.

Safety

• To avoid potentially harmful chemicals, switch to aluminum or stainless steel bottles. Many of these have labels indicating that they contain no BPA. Plastic bottles marked with recycling codes 1, 2 and 5 do not contain BPA.