FOTD: Plastic Water Bottles
February 15, 2007 in FOTD
I am pretty sad about this post. I have been refilling plastic water bottles since high school – so let’s just say its been a long time!
The summary is – the plastic that bottled water comes packaged in actually leaks chemicals into your water. It happens even more as you reuse the bottle. Don’t reuse plastic water bottles even once!
Here is a summary of what is safe and what is not – you should be able to find the plastic number on the bottom of the bottle:
Relatively safe
- #1 polyethylene terephalate (PET) used only once
- #2 and #4 polyethylene
- # 5 polypropylene (catsup bottles, yogurt containers)
Unsafe
- #6 polystyrene (Styrofoam)
- #7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles
Never use
- Food or drinks heated in plastic containers in a microwave.
- Styrofoam cups (polystyrene #6), especially for hot liquids.
- #7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles
- Plastic baby bottles. If you must use bottles, use only glass baby bottles with silicone, not latex, nipples.
So what am I saying? Use glass if you can! Bring an actual glass to work that you can refill from the water cooler.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad (and inconvenient news)
More details:
- Polycarbonate water bottles (labeled #7) contain bisphenol A (BPA), which leaches from the plastic even at room temperature and has been linked to chromosome damage, hormone disruption, and brain damage. These are the types of plastic Nalgene water bottles found in sports stores.
- #1 PET or PETE bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, if used more than once.
Sources with more details:
- Holistic Pediatric Association, Plastic Water Bottles
- Grist, Bottle Racket, 08/02/20004
- Grist, Nalgene Therapy, 01/10/2005
- Boing Boing, Are reusable water bottles dangerous?, 04/05/2005
I love your facts/info of the day!
It is a sad state though when I am relieved to hear about the water bottles simply because I just don’t drink the amount of H2O that I should.
I’m also really intrigued by Earth’s Balance – and very impressed that you can bake with it. Have you seen anything similar from Whole Foods? That’s the only place I can thinki of to check for a like product up here.
I am also trying to take ‘Sleep for your Heart’ to heart this week! :p
I’m so excited you like my FOTDs!
I am about 99% sure you can find Earth Balance at Whole Foods. It really is a fascinating product b/c the taste and function is so good. Good luck with the sleep – I know that is tough for you. 
I knew it! When I was hiking alot, I always told people the nalgene bottles had a funny taste. Little did I know it was not only bad tasting, but bad for you.