Which Reusable Water Bottles Are Safe?

It's important to stay hydrated, and a good way to do this is to carry water with you wherever you go. These days, it's not enough to grab just any old bottle--especially because some types of plastic bottles can have potentially bad consequences for your health. It's important to evaluate which bottles are safe and healthy to use on a daily basis. Your choices aren't as limited as you might think: there are some very safe plastic, aluminum and glass bottles to choose from.

The Facts

• According to the Environment California Research and Policy Center, several types of plastic water bottles are made using chemicals considered carcinogenic. Aluminum, stainless steel and glass alternatives are much safer choices.

Types and Problems of Plastics

• Lexan (a particular type of plastic, labeled as "plastic No. 7" by federal regulations) bottles may contain BPA (or bisphenol A) in small amounts, which can become more likely to leach into your water with repeated use. Some manufacturers have switched from BPA and are now manufacturing water bottles without it.

  PET (polyethylene terephthalate, usually labeled "plastic No. 1") bottles are the most common type of disposable drink bottle on the market today. They can be found in any store selling single-use soft drinks and juices. They're fine for one-time use, but repeated uses have been shown to leach carcinogenic chemical DEHP (diethylhexyl phosphate) into your water. PVC (polyvinyl chloride, also known as "plastic No. 2") and polystyrene bottles have similar problems with different chemicals.

  Not all plastics are dangerous, however. Plastics No. 1 and No. 2 are fine for one-time use, while No. 4 and No. 5 are OK for repeated use. See the NRDC fact sheet in Resources for further information.

What Bottles Are Safe?

• The FDA requires all aluminum water bottles in the U.S. to have a lining in order to protect users from any metal that might leach into the water. According to the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, aluminum, stainless steel and glass bottles are generally regarded as safe.

Cleaning

• Safety extends beyond the chemicals used to produce your water bottle. Good hygiene practices will ensure that your bottle stays bacteria-free and that you stay healthy. Check your manufacturer's instructions to see whether it's dishwasher safe. If it's not, check to see how the manufacturer suggests that you clean your bottle.

Considerations

• If you're concerned about potential BPA exposure in water bottles, you should consider other ways in which BPA may be part of your life. It's still widely used in a variety of items you probably come in contact with on a daily basis, including dental sealants and composites.

  Temperature of liquids in BPA-treated plasticware may play more of a role than age in potential toxicity levels. In studies, heated liquids leached more BPA out of plasticware than non-heated liquids.

  A 2003-2004 CDC survey found BPA in the urine of 93% of 2,517 individuals over age 6 in the United States. BPA has also been found in breast milk. This is particularly noteworthy, because the National Toxicology Program has voiced some concern regarding infant and child exposure to BPA. (See the National Toxicology Program Brief on BPA for more detailed information.)