What's in a Number i.e.: How Safe is Your Child's Water Bottle?

I had a blog sitting in "draft" that I had started over the weekend about the safety of plastic water bottles. The ones that advertisers, t.v. talk show doctors, and "Greenies", (that I happen to be as well) just last year, told us to run out and purchase for our children, and ourselves. The reason? To cut down on purchased bottled water and for recycling purposes. I had started the blog after washing all of these reusable bottles that my kids and I use. Some could be placed in the dishwasher, some could not. I wondered "why". So I started researching. I came across BPA. This is in the plastic used to manufacture these bottles. And IT IS NOT GOOD.
Now, all of this information is all over the news, on television and in several articles, so I sort of feel cheated, that they got the jump on me. But I am still posting the blog that I did the research on.

The blog sitting in my draft column is dated April 10, 2008. For one reason or another, I didn't finish editing, I had a radiation treatment, and I didn't get it posted. On April 15, 2008, the National Toxicology Program’s (NTA) Center for the Evaluation of Risk to Human Reproduction released its draft report summarizing research about exposure to bisphenol A, or BPA.
This comes amidst Canadian media reports that Canada’s government is considering classifying BPA as a dangerous substance. This classification is dependant upon a research summary expected to be released later this week.

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, is a chemical found in polycarbonate plastic. Polycarbonate plastic, also known as plastic #7, is the plastic used to create many food containers, including baby bottles and water bottles. It is known to mimic the hormone estrogen and previous studies have reported findings that exposure could cause neural and behavioral changes.

Originally, these numbers represented recycling, and which container to use, depending on what type of plastic the product was made of. We are now hearing that numbers 3, 6, and 7, are the numbers in question. The catch here is, the bottles that "greenies" ran out and bought have mainly 7's on them. Certain baby bottles have at least a "3", and some have a "7". A "7" is considered to be the worst.

What is a parent to do? What do all these numbers mean? I will attempt to break it down, but there is a great site my title links back to that defines everything. (but keep reading my blog first)

Aluminum water bottles are becoming very popular and many manufactures now offer their own version. Common places to purchase them, besides the Internet, are at sporting goods or outdoor enthusiasts stores. As with any unfamiliar product, investigate the brand in advance. There has been one recall in October of 2007 for high lead levels in the paint on the outside of the bottle.

Soon after US and Canadian governments released current research about potential dangers from BPA bottle manufacturers and retailers begin changing or removing products.

Controversy continues as to whether the levels of bisphenol A (BPA) found in recent research, studies are harmful to humans. While governments and concerned citizens debate the level of dangers, companies that produce the bottles and retailers who sell them are acting. In the past week several companies have announced voluntary action plans.


Recalls


As of April 23, 2008, no company has publicly announced a recall of bottles. Many, however, are responding to public outcry and consumer demands for BPA-free alternatives. Some baby bottle manufacturers produce glass bottles, and a few already have BPA-free alternatives to both bottles and sippy cups. Sports bottles can be found in metal, but most plastic versions are still produced with BPA.

Action Plans

Though this is not an exhaustive list, the following companies have publicly released their intentions to meet consumer demands for BPA free products.

Playtex announced its intentions on April 18. Playtex already has a line of BPA-free infant products, and will change the rest of their products to BPA-free by the end of this year. To reinforce their intentions, Playtex is also distributing one million free samples of Playtex® Drop-Ins® Original Nurser Systems.


Wal-Mart announced its plans shortly after Canada announced its upcoming ban on BPA products. It immediately stopped stocking baby bottles, sippy cups, water bottles and other containers known to contain BPA in its Canadian and US stores. The company also stated it will phase out all products containing BPA by early 2009.

Toys ‘R’ Us, (including its Babies ‘R’ Us chains), also announced its plans earlier this week. In light of growing consumer concerns they are phasing out all baby bottles and other feeding supplies that contain BPA by the end of 2008.

Government Response

In Canada, all retailers are responding to a government ban on all BPA products that was announced on April 18. Though some companies, such as the Forzani Group, Hudson’s Bay and Canadian Tire Corp. anticipated the government ban and began removing BPA plastics earlier, all retailers in Canada are now expected to remove baby bottles and water bottles known to be produced with BPA.

The US Government stands behind the statements by the American Chemistry Council. They acknowledge that there is a negligible risk, but that risk is too small to initiate a ban or recall of products. However, they have also called for further scientific research.


Now, what do you and your family want to drink your water out of? And why is our government acting like there is nothing wrong? Again.....


References:

Playtex
The Washington Post