Children's Health & Single Use PET Bottles

By Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Only use PET water or soda bottles the one time that they are intended for. DO NOT reuse in any way whatsoever for drinks, not even water.

plastic water bottle thrown away Day in day out we see kids going to school and parks with drinks, often fruit drinks, in former bottled water or soft drinks bottles from PET that are being used time and again.

To all intents and purposes all research points to to this practice as putting those children's health at risk from the chemicals that leach from those bottles. Among those chemicals are BPA (Bisphenol A), phthalates, and other hormone disruptors and artificial oestrogen.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is linked to boys developing female signs and behavior – no, they still can't conceive and bear children – and also causing infertility, low sperm count and even impotence.

Coming to think of it one could wonder if one had a conspiracy theory mind as to whether those chemicals are used on purpose for the very reason of destroying boys, so to speak, and reducing population, at least in the developed world.

Because of the concerns with regards to BPA and those other chemicals and the fact that they will leach from PET bottles they should be considered, as far as I and others are concerned, unsuitable for children and especially for reuse by them.

Instead get your kids a proper reusable bottle, from LDPE (low density polyethylene), HDPE (High density polyethylene) or PP (polypropylene), if you want to use a plastic one, or one made from stainless steel. Do not get a polycarbonate hard plastic bottle as also the so-called BPA-free polycarbonate may still leach similar chemicals to BPA. Also avoid the aluminium water bottles, as they are lined with a resin material that also contains BPA or BPA related chemicals. Avoid extremely cheap metal water bottles, even if it says, stainless steel, like the plague, especially is “Made in China”, as some of that steel is considered to be tainted. A good source of stainless steel bottles and other stainless steel goods is India, however, and Indian stores are a good source for such goods.

Let me reiterate once again: Do not reuse PET water or soda bottles and especially do not let your children use them.

© 2011