08/05/2024
Did you know:
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a common plastic that is used in the production of many plastic water bottles. This can lead to the following contaminants being found in the beverage inside:
1. Antimony - a silvery-white metal that is found in the earth's crust. Products such as plastics, textiles, rubber, adhesives, pigments and paper. Antimony alloys are found in solder, sheet, pipe, bearing and type metals, and castings. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) considers antimony trioxide to be reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen.
2. Bisphenols - Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities for use primarily in the production of polycarbonate plastics. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
3. Phthalates - are a class of chemicals that are used to make plastics, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl), flexible. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, and exposure to phthalates has been linked to breast cancer, developmental issues, decreased fertility, obesity and asthma. Although some regulations ban phthalates in certain products intended specifically for young children, they are still widely used in many consumer products.
4. Microplastics - Microplastics are small plastic pieces less than five millimeters long which can be harmful to our ocean and aquatic life. The tiny plastics were found to double the risk of stroke or heart attack. Scientists are finding microplastics in almost every part of the body, including lungs, the stomach, breast milk , the placenta , testicles , hearts , livers, and kidneys.
5. Nanoplastics - Nanoplastics are the smallest microplastics, far narrower than a human hair. Laboratory studies have found that exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics can lead to a range of toxicological effects, including reproductive abnormalities, oxidative stress and gastrointestinal dysfunction, increased mortality, growth inhibition and disorders, and neurotoxicity.
• In addition to these chemicals leaching into the beverage inside, the production and disposal of these plastics contribute to other contaminants commonly found in our drinking water.
• PFAS are not regulated in bottled water.
• There are no legal limits in place to control Phthalates in the bottle water industry.
