Water, water everywhere…but what’s it in?
In
order to achieve and maintain good health we need to consume enough water everyday. More and more, people are toting water with
them during their daily trips to work, the store, sporting events,
and gyms, and this is a good thing. But a study suggests that
reusable water bottles may be bad for our health.
A
study published by Dr. Patricia Hunt in the April edition of Current
Biology, suggests that exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) can cause
chromosomal abnormality. Most plastic reusable bottles are
manufactured with BPA. Over time, BPA can leach into the water and
eventually harm our health.
Experts
disagree. The American Plastics Council, along with other plastic
manufacturers, dispute the findings, saying that the study has not
been validated or standardized. As it stands, the information on BPA
is far from definitive.
What
is known is that overtime, all plastics will break down, and through
this process, they have the potential to leach chemicals into the
water. As a precaution here are a few suggestions:
•
When
at the office, use a ceramic, stainless steel or glass cup, instead
of plastic.
•
Do not
microwave anything in plastic.
•
When
transporting water, use a glass, stainless steel or ceramic
container.
•
If you
do use plastic, make sure that is is either: #2 high-density
polyethylene
(HDPE),
#4 low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and #5 polypropylene (PP). These
plastics are not known to leach chemicals into water.
•
Avoid
#3 polyvinyl chloride (PVC), #6 polystyrene (PS), and according to
Hunt's study, #7 polycarbonate. Plastic bottles made from #1
polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) are for single, not multiple
use.
•
When
storing, keep it out of sunlight and away from heat.
If
that isn’t enough, reusing water bottles could present another type
of health problem–bacteria build up. Even though you may wash your
water bottle well, bacteria can still gather and grow in cracks,
scratches, and in hard-to-reach places, especially in bottles that
have narrower necks.
Not
only is it important to use a certain type of plastic bottle, or a
different type of bottle all together, you should also pay attention
to the cleanliness and sanitization of your bottle. Don’t go too
long without sanitizing it.
Are you sure you are putting the right things into your body? Let's schedule a no-cost consultation, and see!
Kathy E Thomas
Lake Premier Wellness Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
2430 South Bay Street, Eustis, FL 32726
352-323-0795
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