Plastic Water Bottles, Are they safe? Essay

People these days use plastic bottles filled with water since it is durable and light to carry. Many colorful plastic water bottles out in the market today which are trendy, and perfect for active lifestyle. Those colorful bottles are made with polycarbonate plastics. However, majority of the plastic water bottle users did not know that it may cause serious health hazards because of the materials used in making the plastic water bottles. The harmful material which makes up the plastic bottle is the lexan polycarbonate resin. Research found out that this type of plastic polymer is accidentally developed by General Electric in 1953. Variety of products over four decades like compact discs and DVDs, bullet-proof windows, computers, mobile phones, baby bottles and water bottles were made up of lexan polycarbonate resin. People think that if it doesn’t change the flavor of the liquid inside the plastic bottle it is safe. A discovery by Dr. Patricia Hunt in 1998, those plastics which are made from polycarbonate resin can leach bisphenol-A (BPA), BPA is known endocrine disruptor, which is a xenoestrogen that disturb the hormonal messaging in our bodies. Heat exposure, like leaving your plastic water bottle in your car, back pack, sitting the plastic water bottle on your desk is not also safe. The attractive colorful plastic bottles made with polycarbonate plastics may leach BPA. This chemical can be leached into the water bottles contents through wear and tear, exposure to heat and cleaning agents. This is also found in epoxy resin and other polycarbonate plastics that may damage the reproductive organs and have negative effects on tumors, prostate development by reducing sperm count and breast tissue development. BPA is also linked to insulin resistance and Type 2 Diabetes and destructive to babies and young children. Plastic water bottles are only good for singe use. After using them it is better to dispose or have it recycled. The toxins in the plastic bottles bring harmful effects to every user, and those harmful effects are slowly killing the organs in our body. These days those types of plastic bottle which contains BPA are now banned due to its bad effects to our health. There are ways for us to keep away from harm and to avoid exposure to BPA. Instead of using plastic water bottles, switch to stainless steel water bottle, but still you have to be careful because many products on the market are lined with epoxy finish. Another means, is to use glass bottles even they are a bit heavier, but are good and safe to use. Works Cited Medical News Today. http://www. medicalnewstoday. com/articles Polycarbonate Plastics and Bisphenol. http://www. bisphenol-a. org/human/polyplastics. html Water and Hydration Bottle Health. http://gearjunkie. com