Bottle chemicals may present health risks
By: Allison Miller, Senior Writer
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Features
Freshman Bill Bobbitt, an environmental studies major, traded his Nalgene water bottle in for a stainless steel bottle three months ago because he worries about the safety of plastic bottles.
But senior Erin McKenney, a biology major, said even though she heard plastic water bottles could leach chemicals after two years, she is not concerned.
"The issue is whether it's enough to be toxic," said Gerald LeBlanc, chairman of the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at N.C. State University.
Many plastic bottles are composed of polycarbonate plastic - the hard plastic that is used in many baby bottles and drinking bottles, such as the ubiquitous hard-plastic bottles made by Nalgene.
Polycarbonate plastic contains a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA, which could have adverse effects on human health and has been shown to leach small amounts of the chemical into water or food.
The chemical has been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer and reproductive problems, said LeBlanc, who was part of a panel of 38 scientists who met in 2006 in Chapel Hill to examine evidence about BPA.
The group published an article stating that BPA exposure is a cause for concern because of its potential to harm human health.
"High levels of bisphenol A could be like you have a lot of estrogen in your body," said Linda Birnbaum, a member of the Chapel Hill panel and director of experimental toxicology at the Environmental Protection Agency.
LeBlanc said pregnant women should think twice about exposing themselves to BPA because it could harm the developing embryo. Parents also should be wary of letting their small children drink from polycarbonate bottles.
But this doesn't mean you need to throw away your Nalgene bottles.
"The indication that as an adult it could have adverse effects is not as strong," LeBlanc said.
Birnbaum wouldn't make a recommendation about using or not using polycarbonate-plastic products. She said people should decide for themselves.
But senior Erin McKenney, a biology major, said even though she heard plastic water bottles could leach chemicals after two years, she is not concerned.
"The issue is whether it's enough to be toxic," said Gerald LeBlanc, chairman of the Department of Environmental and Molecular Toxicology at N.C. State University.
Many plastic bottles are composed of polycarbonate plastic - the hard plastic that is used in many baby bottles and drinking bottles, such as the ubiquitous hard-plastic bottles made by Nalgene.
Polycarbonate plastic contains a chemical called bisphenol A, or BPA, which could have adverse effects on human health and has been shown to leach small amounts of the chemical into water or food.
The chemical has been linked to prostate cancer, breast cancer and reproductive problems, said LeBlanc, who was part of a panel of 38 scientists who met in 2006 in Chapel Hill to examine evidence about BPA.
The group published an article stating that BPA exposure is a cause for concern because of its potential to harm human health.
"High levels of bisphenol A could be like you have a lot of estrogen in your body," said Linda Birnbaum, a member of the Chapel Hill panel and director of experimental toxicology at the Environmental Protection Agency.
LeBlanc said pregnant women should think twice about exposing themselves to BPA because it could harm the developing embryo. Parents also should be wary of letting their small children drink from polycarbonate bottles.
But this doesn't mean you need to throw away your Nalgene bottles.
"The indication that as an adult it could have adverse effects is not as strong," LeBlanc said.
Birnbaum wouldn't make a recommendation about using or not using polycarbonate-plastic products. She said people should decide for themselves.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Sarah
posted 4/10/08 @ 3:41 PM EST
I know they say they don't know yet if the chemicals are dangerous for consumption, but I would rather not take my chances. I am going to try and reduce as much plastic from my life as possible. (Continued…)
Maggie
posted 4/29/08 @ 2:35 PM EST
Go to http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/technical/bpaInfo.html for the real story on BPA.
Post a Comment