Plastic water bottle: dangers of reuse
Although it is environmentally friendly, reusing a water bottle can harm your health
Plastic water bottle can be a big environmental problem. This is because it is made from petroleum, a non-renewable source, requires energy for its production and distribution, and ends up contaminating the environment when not properly destined for recycling. In other words, their final destinations end up being dumps, landfills and the seas, with terrible environmental consequences. Understand more about this topic in the article: "Pros and cons of plastic for the environment".
- Understand the environmental impact of plastic waste on the food chain
With that in mind, since I used a water bottle, why not refill it and use it again? Wouldn't that be a great way to practice conscientious consumption, as it would save the energy needed for recycling and also avoid pollution by plastics?
First, if you think so, congratulations! The world needs more people like you (but don't forget that the best thing is to avoid the habit of buying the bottle - there are other options, as we'll see later). Unfortunately, reuse is not a very good solution to the problem, as the plastic bottle is not meant to be reused - so much so that even its manufacturers recommend disposing of it after use.
Resized image by Jonathan Chng, is available on Unsplash
One of the main problems with plastic water bottle reuse is bacterial contamination. After all, the water bottle is a humid, closed environment with great contact with the mouth and hands; in other words, a perfect place for the proliferation of bacteria.
A study of 75 water samples from plastic bottles that elementary school students had used for months without ever washing them, found that about two-thirds of the samples had bacterial levels above recommended standards. The amount of fecal coliforms (bacteria from mammalian feces) was identified above the recommended limit in ten of the 75 samples studied. The plastic bottle, if not washed, works as a perfect breeding ground for bacteria, says Cathy Ryan, one of those responsible for the study.
Ah! So, no problem, I just wash my water bottle and there's no mistake?Well, there is another problem related to the plastic bottle: the various types of bisphenol, which are compounds used in the production of plastics and resins, being found mainly in plastic made with polycarbonate - the one with the recycling symbol 7 on the packaging.
A study conducted by Harvard University, USA, put a group of people using plastic water bottle with this material for a week and found an increase in BPA levels in urine in about 60% of the group. Another study from the University of Cincinnati found that when washing the plastic bottle with hot water, the leaching process was accelerated, meaning that the BPA was more easily released from the plastic material.
Ah! So just buy a plastic bottle with the "BPA free" seal?In fact, "BPA-free" plastic containers are no guarantee of health safety. In addition to BPA, there are other types of bisphenol as or more harmful, but still little known and unregulated, such as BPS and BPF. Learn more about them in the article: "Know the types of bisphenol and their risks".
The plastic water bottle with the recycling symbol 1 on the packaging (PET) also has problems as it can contaminate the water with other endocrine-disrupting substances and estrogenic chemicals that cause hormonal problems, as identified by a 2010 study.
- Know the types of bisphenol and their risks
- Learn more about BPA.
Alternatives to Using Plastic Water Bottle
Instead of a plastic water bottle, try using a glass, aluminum or paper bottle. These models can be reused without the same scratches as the plastic bottle.
In the case of aluminum, its use is controversial. The Food and Drug Administration of the United States (FDA), the Brazilian Aluminum Association (ABAL) and the European Aluminum Association (European Aluminum) allege that aluminum has no toxicity for healthy people, as it has low absorption intestinal - a small part that is absorbed enters the circulatory system, which is later eliminated via the renal system. However, people with impaired kidney function or chronic kidney failure and premature babies accumulate aluminum in their bodies, especially in bone tissue, where it "exchanges" with calcium, causing osteodystrophy, and in brain tissue causing encephalopathy. The FDA classifies aluminum salts in foods and vaccines as "generally recognized as safe (Gras)". In some vaccines, the FDA considers aluminum salts to be additives that enhance the desired effects.
Although to date there is no direct proof, there is evidence that shows a correlation between the presence of aluminum and various allergies, breast cancer and even Alzheimer's. Studies show that the presence of aluminum is much greater than normal in these cases (the normal thing would be not to have aluminum), but no study has proven that aluminum is directly related to the onset of these diseases, or if the high levels of aluminum in these patients they are a consequence of the disease.
According to a study carried out by the University of São Paulo, when heat and salt are present, the transfer of aluminum from containers to food or liquid exceeds the admissible limits (according to the study criteria).
Therefore, to avoid becoming contaminated by aluminum, avoid using hot liquids that contain salt in the bottle. If even with the FDA claim that aluminum is a safe material for the human body you feel unsafe with possible exposures to this metal, avoid it.
You can use glass bottles, which are harmless when used to store drinks. In addition to helping the environment by eliminating the need for large amounts of plastic bottles, you'll also be preventing health problems. If you want or really need a plastic water bottle, the most recommended ones are the polypropylene ones, which usually have a white appearance. A necessary care with all types of bottles is to keep them clean in order to minimize bacterial contamination, wash them and allow them to dry before reuse.
Another way to avoid using a plastic water bottle is to always carry an aluminum mug, paper cups or other material other than plastic in the bag, and fill it with water only when you are thirsty in establishments such as bars, restaurants and shopping malls - in some states, it is mandatory by law to supply filtered water for immediate consumption, in the quantities demanded.- Check out our article on reusable water bottles
