When I was considering launching this series on plastics and other refuse, I suspected there would be plenty of material to fill the topic. Boy! Was that an understatement! Online researching is a never-ending chain of links from one question and answer leading to the next and the next and the next. I’ve made a conscious effort to harvest facts from reasonable sources, sources that are not selling something nor with a vested interest in what is presented. So it turns out there is much more to pass on about plastic-bottled drinks.

In the last article I said that the EPA and the FDA declare that bottled water and tap water are equally safe. This argues for the point made that buying bottled water is simply unnecessary as well as throwing away money.

Not to argue with the government agencies, but reading more about the chemical aspects of plastic bottles for water and other drinks leads one to question their declarations of equal safety. The fact is, plastic bottles are made with some pretty unwholesome ingredients with potentially unhealthy effects on consumers. The main two offenders are BPA (Bisphernal – A) and phthalates. Both are considered endocrine disrupters which affect male fertility, block female hormones and can cause adverse neuro and cognitive development in fetuses and children. It was disturbing to also read that some plastic bottle makers who label their products “BPA Free” have simply replaced the BPA with another related chemical called BPS. These chemicals are capable of leaching into the contents of the bottle especially when in contact for extended periods and if the bottles are exposed to heat. Do you know when your soda or water was bottled and in what temperatures it was stored? Not easy to know.

I hope it goes without saying that all this applies to the other foods housed in plastic.

Okay, so what’s the alternative? When you need to transport a drink with you, the best option is a reusable glass bottle that you wash after use. Admittedly, this is not always practical so the next best option is stainless steel, but not all stainless steel containers are equal. Some are lined with plastic and others may contain lead solder. Be a wise shopper. I found one website I will recommend for advice on what brands to avoid and what brands to favor: mamavation blog. The blogger has teamed with experts to sort out the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. These containers will carry your tap water, your home-made iced tea, coffee, and juice. If you must have soda, opt for aluminum cans and leave the plastic bottles on the store shelf.

One more thing about tap water: Municipal water departments are required to make available an Annual Water Quality Report to the public. This document is available online and for Concord, it shows that contaminants are all below the EPA standard for each. But if you are still doubtful, a home filtering system might put your mind at ease. Stay hydrated out there, and chemical free!

If you have a tip, question, or suggestion, feel free to send an email to features@cmonitor.com

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