HOW SAFE THE PLASTIC BOTTLED DRINKING WATER

Introduction:

Every one of us is addicted to consume plastic bottled drinking water. Plastic water bottles are very convenient for carrying water and they don’t break when it falls. But many of us are nor familiar with the harmful effect by drinking this plastic bottled water. Selection of water bottle must be done carefully as plastic leaches its chemical content in to the water. All plastic water bottles leach, some are better than others.

Parameters to be considered for selecting water bottle

Choosing a bottle that leaches less

Check the recycling symbol on the bottom of the bottle

Choose less leaching plastics (#2,4 and 5) rather than more leaching plastics(#1,3,6 and 7)(Table:1)

Grade #1 plastic bottles are recommended for one time use (dispose after use)

Table 1: Plastic bottle grades with respective chemical names and safety profile

  

Bottle grade	Chemical composition	Safety
1	Polyethylene  terephthalate (PETE)	Harmful
2	High density polyethylene(HDPE)	less toxic
3	Vinyl/polyvinyl(V/PV)	Harmful
4	Low density polyethylene(LDPE)	Less toxic
5	Polypropylene(PP)	Less toxic
6	Polystyrene(PS)	Harmful
7	Polycarbonate(PC)	Harmful

 

The Problem:

Plastics with recycle symbol #7 may leach BPA (Bipheny1 A)

Bipheny1 A is a xenoestrogen (known endocrine disruptor)

BPA can be leached into the water bottles contents through normal wear and tear, exposure to heat and cleaning agents

BPA disturb the hormonal messaging in humans

BPA is linked to breast and uterine cancers in women

BPA has even been linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes.

BPA decrease testosterone levels in men

The Solution:

There are few approaches to take to avoid exposure to BPA.

First, be proactive by carrying water

Selecting epoxy lined bottles

Switch to stainless steel / glass water bottles

Conclusion:

Be proactive rather reactive and always use good quality bottles as mentioned above   

Nagarjuna C.,

Dr. Hindustan Abdul Ahed,

Praveen S., Rehna S.,

Rohina Anjum, Swapna S.

Balaji College of Pharmacy,

Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh