Drinking Water Container Warning! The Unseen Effects

Across the United States you can find plastic drinking water containers in almost every fridge. We Americans tend to conclude that a plastic drinking water container is a perfectly safe choice.

But is it, really? Recently, per a study conducted by the National Toxicology program, plastic drinking water containers were found to contain an element that could migrate into the water (or other liquid) and precipitate potential health hazards. The compound, Bisphenol A (BPA) is a component of polycarbonate and other polymers used to make bottles for beverages.

BPA is often chosen for a drinking water container because it is strong, but not heavy, like glass. However, research has shown that individuals, who consume Bisphenol A, tend to have a greater risk of certain types of cancers. Additionally, BPA can potentially interfere with hormone levels.

Quite a few households use hot water to wash (by dishwasher or by hand) their bottled drinking water containers in order to reuse them. Leaching of BPA into the liquid actually increases with re-use.

Now, to be fair, the increased risk of developing health problems from consuming the substance comes from being exposed to high levels of the compound. Unfortunately, BPA contamination doesn't just come from drinking water containers. The lining of canned goods also contains it.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control)found trace amounts of the toxin in the urine samples of every person who underwent testing during a controlled experiment. Infrequent usage of drinking water containers made with BPA may not be harmful but why chance it?

The market for bottled water remains largely free of federal regulation. The is translates to the possibility that you may be ingesting hazardous toxins that have made it into the public water system through either artificial or natural means. Why jeopardize your health even more by using a plastic drinking water container?

In addition to having health consequences, regular use of bottled waters produces an environmental danger. While most plastic is recyclable, a consumer has to make the choice to simply not toss their drinking water containers into their regular garbage.

By far, the best choice for drinking water containers is glass. Not only do you eliminate any potential health risks by no chemical contaminants, you also help to save the environment. A glass drinking water container can be reused repeatedly without degrading the material.

I consume my eight glasses of water per day and consider myself very eco-aware. After doing my research on drinking water containers and learning about the danger of plastic, my eyes were certainly opened. I had always assumed that the plastic drinking water container I carried around all day and constantly re-used was the best and safest way to consume my daily intake of water.

Now that I understand the potential dangers of the main compound used in those drinking water containers, I can take steps to reduce my exposure to a dangerous chemical by switching to a glass. I am told that it tastes better, anyway.