Plastic Water Bottle Forum: Join the forum discussion regarding using plastic bottles for water.
A reader asks the following question:
“Is it okay to use plastic bottles for water? Can I wash plastic bottles and reuse them for water?”
Please join this discussion and post your comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Here’s what I think . . .
Plastic Bottles for Water – To Use or Not?
There really isn’t a time when I would recommend using plastic bottles for water. Even the hard polycarbonate plastic could be problematic. There is good research showing that compounds move from plastic into the water, most notoriously Bisphenol A, better know as BPA. I know there are a lot of plastic bottles for water out there now that are labeled “BPA-free”, but BPA was only the most researched compound. These compounds in plastic bottles for water could increase certain health risks.
In most cases, the health risk is very small. But, research is still unclear about the hormonal impact of BPA, especially on children. For that reason alone, I think it’s wise to avoid plastic bottles for water.
The research has been in controlled environments and doesn’t take into account leaving plastic bottles for water sitting in the hot car during the day or potential breakdowns of the containers from washing.
Even if the health risk is minimal we (hopefully) are drinking lots of water each day which means any risk is multiplied. I just think any risk is worth preventing, if possible.
My best recommendation is a glass container as they have the least chance of any compound migration. Yet, I know these containers are inconvenient, break easily, and many gyms won’t allow them. So, stainless steel is my second choice.
Your health is worth not using plastic bottles for water.
