Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic Water Bottles

http://www.thegreenguide.com/doc/101/plastic
Whether you buy bottled water or conscientiously tote some from home,
you'll want to avoid swallowing chemicals along with it. Particularly
for small children, whose bodies are developing, it's best to steer
clear of plastics that can release chemicals that could harm them in the
long term. Below, the plastics not to choose (check the recycling number
on the bottom of your bottle) and those that are safer:

Plastics to Avoid

#3 Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) commonly contains di-2-ehtylhexyl phthalate
(DEHP), an endocrine disruptor and probable human carcinogen, as a
softener.

#6 Polystyrene (PS) may leach styrene, a possible endocrine disruptor
and human carcinogen, into water and food.

#7 Polycarbonate contains the hormone disruptor bisphenol-A, which can
leach out as bottles age, are heated or exposed to acidic solutions.
Unfortunately, #7 is used in most baby bottles and five-gallon water
jugs and in many reusable sports bottles.

Better Plastics

#1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), the most common and easily
recycled plastic for bottled water and soft drinks, has also been
considered the most safe. However, one 2003 Italian study found that the
amount of DEHP in bottled spring water increased after 9 months of
storage in a PET bottle.

#2 High Density Polyethylene

#4 Low Density Polyethylene

#5 Polypropylene

Best Reusable Bottles: Betras USA Sports Bottles, Brita Fill & Go Water
Filtration Bottle, Arrow Canteen

Better Baby Bottles: Choose tempered glass or opaque plastic made of
polypropylene (#5) or polyethylene (#1), which do not contain
bisphenol-A.

Tips for Use:

*Sniff and Taste: If there's a hint of plastic in your water, don't
drink it.

*Keep bottled water away from heat, which promotes leaching of
chemicals.

*Use bottled water quickly, as chemicals may migrate from plastic during
storage. Ask retailers how long water has been on their shelves, and
don't buy if it's been months.

*Do not reuse bottles intended for single use. Reused water bottles also
make good breeding grounds for bacteria.

*Choose rigid, reusable containers or, for hot/acidic liquids, thermoses
with stainless steel or ceramic interiors.

For more info, see Product Reports on "bottled water" and "baby
bottles."