Plastic Bottle Safety

Chemicals May Contaminate Food and Drinks in Reused Plastic Bottles
Studies have indicated that food and drinks stored in such containers—including those ubiquitous clear Nalgene water bottles hanging from just about every hiker’s backpack—can contain trace amount of Bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical that interferes with the body’s natural hormonal messaging system.

Reused Plastic Bottles Can Leach Toxic Chemicals
The same studies found that repeated re-use of such bottles—which get dinged up through normal wear and tear and while being washed—increases the chance that chemicals will leak out of the tiny cracks and crevices that develop over time. According to the Environment California Research & Policy Center, which reviewed 130 studies on the topic, BPA has been linked to breast and uterine cancer, an increased risk of miscarriage, and decreased testosterone levels.

BPA can also wreak havoc on children’s developing systems. (Parents beware: Most baby bottles and sippy cups are made with plastics containing BPA.) Most experts agree that the amount of BPA that could leach into food and drinks through normal handling is probably very small, but there are concerns about the cumulative effect of small doses.

 

Even Plastic Water and Soda Bottles Should Not Be Reused
Health advocates also recommend not reusing bottles made from plastic #1 (polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET or PETE), including most disposable water, soda and juice bottles. According to The Green Guide, such bottles may be safe for one-time use, but re-use should be avoided because studies indicate they may leach DEHP—another probable human carcinogen—when they are in less-than-perfect condition.

Remember plastic water bottles were designed to be a single use product.

Millions of Plastic Bottles End Up in Landfills
The good news is that such bottles are easy to recycle; just about every municipal recycling system will take them back. But using them is nonetheless far from environmentally responsible: The nonprofit Berkeley Ecology Center found that the manufacture of plastic #1 uses large amounts of energy and resources and generates toxic emissions and pollutants that contribute to global warming. And even though PET bottles can be recycled, millions find their way into landfills every day in the U.S. alone.

Incinerating Plastic Bottles Releases Toxic Chemicals
Another bad choice for water bottles, reusable or otherwise, is plastic #3 (polyvinyl chloride/PVC), which can leach hormone-disrupting chemicals into the liquids they are storing and will release synthetic carcinogens into the environment when incinerated. Plastic #6 (polystyrene/PS), has been shown to leach styrene, a probable human carcinogen, into food and drinks as well.

Safe Reusable Bottles Do Exist
Safer choices include bottles crafted from safer HDPE (plastic #2), low-density polyethylene (LDPE, AKA plastic #4) or polypropylene (PP, or plastic #5). Aluminum bottles, such as those made by SIGG and sold in many natural food and natural product markets, and stainless steel water bottles are also safe choices and can be reused repeatedly and eventually recycled.

Water

The U.S. National Research Council recommends 1 mL of water for every calorie you eat. So according to this guideline, a person who eats 2,000 calories should be drinking 2,000 mL.

More water is needed during exercise and in hot weather. A rough guideline—for every hour of exercise, drink an extra quart of water.

An article published in the October 5, 2004 issue of The Washington Post reported that cities across the United States, such as Philadelphia, Boston, and New York City, were manipulating the results of tests used to detect lead in water, violating federal law and putting millions of Americans at risk by giving them a false sense of security.

Drinking water can be contaminated with heavy metals, microorganisms, chlorine, fluoride, and other impurities.

• You can improve the quality of drinking water by filtering with a reverse osmosis system, charcoal, ceramic, or other high quality filter.
• Check bottled water—some types are not spring water but actually purified water from the same source as tap water.
• Store water in glass containers. Avoid the plastic water bottles you find at the store. If you do drink water from a soft, clear water bottle, do not reuse it.
• Avoid drinking distilled water regularly, because it can deplete your body of needed minerals

There are reasonably priced water filters on the market, such as Brita or PUR.

Warrior Wisdom

"For wisdom will enter your heart,
and knowledge will fill you with joy.
Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.
Wisdom will save you from evil people,
from those whose words are twisted."
~Proverbs 2:10-12

(from His Princess by Sheri Rose Shepherd)

Deception is the weapon launched by the enemy against all my children. It is dangerous if you fall prey to it. But I, your God give you the greater device, "the weapon of wisdom" empowered by My Holy Spirit. Search for My wisdom as if your life depends on it, because it does!
When you discover wisdom in My word, treasure it and hide it in heart. It will become a sanctuary for your soul.
My wisdom will become your guard, your guide, and your gauge to keep you from falling into the enemy's traps. Get lost in My Word and wisdom will light your way in the dark and remove your doubts. My wisdom will give you the skill to rebuild and restore many broken lives, including your own.