Plastic - chemical leaching from

[Guest guest]

02 Aug 2004

Questions relating to the environment?

Ask Umbra.

Several readers have sent in questions about the dangers of chemical

leaching from plastic bottles. A composite version:

Dear Umbra,

I've read some conflicting things about the risks associated with

reusing plastic water bottles. For instance, the generally

trustworthy folks at the urban-legends site snopes.com have

criticized a widely circulated email that claims regular water

bottles are not safe for refilling because the plastic breaks down.

The commonly offered solution is to refill only bottles made from

stronger plastics, which are meant to be washed and reused, such as

Nalgene bottles. But then I read in Daily Grist that even Nalgene

bottles may leach a dangerous chemical into water. Is there some

kind of bottle I can reuse without running these risks?

Conglomerate Reader

Everytown, U.S.A.

Dearest Conglomerate Reader,

The mysterious world of plastics: convenient, yet filled with vague

and shadowy dangers. Lest we get overly mired in those dangers,

let's take a moment to recognize the incredible advances -- in

medicine, for example -- that plastics have brought to our lives.

Not only does plastic serve valuable purposes, but its manufacture

is in many cases no more hard on the earth than the manufacture of

wood-based products. Paper versus plastic bags? It's a draw.

Now that we're through with plastic appreciation ...

Manufacturing plastic is resource-intensive and yields various nasty

emissions that contribute to global warming and degradation of water

quality. It's made from non-renewable resources, and for all intents

and purposes, it never biodegrades (although some specialized

variations have been made specifically to do so). Yes, we'll run out

of oil eventually, but we'll always have our plastic garbage. Add to

this the growing suspicion that plastic use may lead to serious

health problems.

Evil, evil plastics!, it would seem, and in some cases correctly. I

would generally advise against using plastics in food- and beverage-

related applications.

Let's talk specifics, though, because you point out an apparent

conundrum in your question. The contradictions you see in the press

are a mix of confusion about types of plastic, misinformation, and

bona fide scientific uncertainty about the effects of an entirely

new group of substances. Snopes.com addresses purported links

between PET (#1) and DEHA (di-2-ethylhexyl-adipate), a potential

carcinogen, links which are apparently based on a study later shown

to be bogus. PET evidently does not contain DEHA, and the

carcinogenic properties of DEHA itself are hotly debated.

I'm a Nalgene bottle, baby.

Nalgene bottles, made of polycarbonate (#7) or " Lexan, " are more

closely linked to bad stuff, specifically an ingredient called

bisphenol-A (BPA). BPA is an endocrine disruptor that mimics

estrogen and has been linked to aneuploidy, adipogenesis, and other

scary problems with funny names. Drinking water or eating food

containing leached BPA may cause chromosomal disruption,

miscarriages, birth defects, or obesity. Eek!

To recap what we know so far: #1 bottles are okay; #7 bottles are no

good.

Moving on, I would categorically avoid PVC (#3), aka vinyl, for food

containers or anything else. It truly is an evil plastic,

practically a fount of dioxin. PVC containers and PVC film can

contain oft-debated ickies DEHP and DEHA, and some contain softening

phthalates linked to liver and kidney damage and testicular

problems. Also, polystyrene (#6) is yucky -- it's made of styrene,

and you don't want any styrene in your precious bod, trust me.

That leaves us with the winners of this dubious contest: HDPE, LDPE,

polypropylene, and limited use of PET.

Still, as I said, keep your food away from plastic. We are just

beginning to learn what these chemicals have been doing to our

bodies.

I'm also a little obsessed right now with a food-related health

concern that often flies under our radar: bacteria. Reused,

unwashed, and unsterilized plastic bottles are a breeding ground for

invisible bacteria that nestle in cracks and scratches we cannot

even see. It's not as exotic as BPA and DEHA and styrene, but it is

gross.

Where does that leave those who want to drink water on the go? After

looking around on your behalf, I've put away my handy Nalgene

bottle, which I was already feeling guilty about thanks to a rumor I

heard several years ago about the company testing on rabbits.

(Incidentally, it turns out Nalgene doesn't test on bunnies, but it

is owned by an octopus-like corporate conglomerate, another arm of

which manufactures laboratory products used to experiment on

animals -- thus, it is boycotted by some animal-rights activists.

Personally, I will focus my efforts on keeping plastics away from

children.)

Smells like canteen spirit.

Glass vessels will work in low-impact situations, and I've seen

metal canteens that may suit your needs. As long as we sit still,

there's no trouble finding plastic alternatives. It's the biking and

hiking and bungee jumping that pose a problem. Maybe those old

leather canteens will make a comeback, but until then I think it's

the less-evil plastics that will keep us quenched on the trail.

Sadly,

Umbra

Source: http://www.gristmagazine.com/