My last post's article mentioned the concern that a metal bottle could cause health problems such as Alzheimer's. The article explained that there is, however, lining inside the bottles that prevents any leaching of materials into the drink. As long as the lining is BPA-free or plastic-free, we should feel safe using a lined metal bottle.
Yet one of my blog followers has emailed me:
"How about a post describing the effect of drinking from (aluminum bottles)- it's sort of like the chewing on tinfoil feeling. What about the dangers of that?"
I have two sources to answer this question.
1) The following website compares the safety of Sigg and Klean Kanteen metal bottles to Nalgene plastic containers. The article dismisses worries that Klean Kanteens' stainless steel will leach into drinks, and praises the durability of the REI product to boot (my aluminum Sigg is dented; apparently steel Klean Kanteens just don't dent so easily). As for Sigg aluminum bottles with plastic caps, the article skeptically comments on Siggs' "unspecified (but they swear it's safe!) proprietary enamel-type coating." 2 points for Klean Kanteen, - 2 points for Sigg
http://www.educatedguesswork.org/2008/08/metal_drinking_bottles.html
(And to answer the blogger's concern, the writer adds, "I was sort of surprised by how much I felt like I was going to chip a tooth with the Klean Kanteen but not at all with the Sigg or a Nalgene"). That's the closest you'll come to feeling like you're chewing tinfoil. 2 points for Sigg
2) Julia Girdler, founder and president of H2Ox2 has emailed me, "Basically, drinking from aluminum would be a very bad thing. But I feel 100% comfortable with Sigg." Julia, meticulously researching this topic, trusts the safety and quality of the liners in Sigg containers. Julia's blog, http://www.h2ox2.com/blog/ illustrates her credibility on the subject. She also emailed me Sigg's statement on the quality of their liners- thanks Julia! another 2 points for Sigg
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Using TweetDeck
I've been using my Twitter account for a while, please add me! MelanieDuzyj
Yet to all Twitter people reading, I recommend using TweetDeck. I've been using this resource to track some other environmentalists. Commenting on topics like "aluminum bottles" and "water toxins," these Twitter users are so helpful for hearing blips of opinion on the topics.
Some article gems I've found today:
How to Crochet a Cozy for your Sigg
Aluminum bottle use linked to Alzheimer's, perhaps?
Try out TweetDeck!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Where Else Do Polycarbonates Show Up?
The article yesterday let me know that BPA is an organic compound that is used when making polycarbonate, a material used in plastics to change the plastics’ hardness. I wondered where else polycarbonates show up in our lives.
A November 2007 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program reports:
“Polycarbonate plastic, which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used to make a variety of common products including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, dental composite (white) fillings and sealants, lenses, and household electronics. Polycarbonate is used in the manufacture of all CDs and DVDs.”
And also:
“… Bisphenol A is also a precursor to the flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A, and was formerly used as a fungicide… In the U.S., it is manufactured by Bayer MaterialScience, Dow Chemical Company, General Electric, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, and Sunoco Chemicals.”
“In 2004, these companies produced just over 1 million t of bisphenol A, up from just 7,260 t in 1991. In 2003, annual U.S. consumption was 856,000 t, 72% of which was used to make polycarbonate plastic.”
I’m realizing that more and more polycarbonates (and thus BPA) are being consumed, despite its possible use in fungicides,etc. and despite more daunting reports that BPA is a “hormonally active agent,” or an “endocrine distruptor.” These agents mutate the hormones of animals; that includes both lab rats and us humans.
Here’s a quote to take home:
“There is thus concern that long term low dose exposure to bisphenol A may induce chronic toxicity in humans.”
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/7713/7713.html
Note: Thanks for moving with me to my blog's new weblink!
A November 2007 study by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program reports:
“Polycarbonate plastic, which is clear and nearly shatter-proof, is used to make a variety of common products including baby and water bottles, sports equipment, medical and dental devices, dental composite (white) fillings and sealants, lenses, and household electronics. Polycarbonate is used in the manufacture of all CDs and DVDs.”
And also:
“… Bisphenol A is also a precursor to the flame retardant, tetrabromobisphenol A, and was formerly used as a fungicide… In the U.S., it is manufactured by Bayer MaterialScience, Dow Chemical Company, General Electric, Hexion Specialty Chemicals, and Sunoco Chemicals.”
“In 2004, these companies produced just over 1 million t of bisphenol A, up from just 7,260 t in 1991. In 2003, annual U.S. consumption was 856,000 t, 72% of which was used to make polycarbonate plastic.”
I’m realizing that more and more polycarbonates (and thus BPA) are being consumed, despite its possible use in fungicides,etc. and despite more daunting reports that BPA is a “hormonally active agent,” or an “endocrine distruptor.” These agents mutate the hormones of animals; that includes both lab rats and us humans.
Here’s a quote to take home:
“There is thus concern that long term low dose exposure to bisphenol A may induce chronic toxicity in humans.”
http://www.ehponline.org/members/2005/7713/7713.html
Note: Thanks for moving with me to my blog's new weblink!
Dave Sent Me an Article
Original Post: Wednesday, February 11, 2009
A friend of mine, Dave, refills his Vitamin Water bottle with tapwater every morning before class. I remind him to buy an aluminum Sigg water bottle, and he rolls his eyes at me, thinking my anti-plastic bottle mission is a bad reaction to propaganda.
However,
Dave sent me the link to this article, "What Plastics Do to Your Body." http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-plastics-do-to-your-body.html
This article discusses many of my concerns surrounding plastic water bottles. It identifies which number imprints we should be avoiding on our plastic products, and the health risks tied to BPA use. I'm concerned. If the FDA has identified BPA as a harmful toxin, as have the Canadian government and the National Health Institute (in America), why are we consumers not more conscious about the plastics we're purchasing?
Read the article. It's a good quickie.
I'm now taking note of the plastic-wrapped foods I'm buying from Shaw's (or Meijers, or Kroger... wherever you live). And styrofoam will be a no-go. I want to further investigate the toxin amounts in Nalgene bottles, and how paranoid we should be about using any plastic. I would hate to throw out all the plastic forks in my dorm room.
A friend of mine, Dave, refills his Vitamin Water bottle with tapwater every morning before class. I remind him to buy an aluminum Sigg water bottle, and he rolls his eyes at me, thinking my anti-plastic bottle mission is a bad reaction to propaganda.
However,
Dave sent me the link to this article, "What Plastics Do to Your Body." http://www.care2.com/greenliving/what-plastics-do-to-your-body.html
This article discusses many of my concerns surrounding plastic water bottles. It identifies which number imprints we should be avoiding on our plastic products, and the health risks tied to BPA use. I'm concerned. If the FDA has identified BPA as a harmful toxin, as have the Canadian government and the National Health Institute (in America), why are we consumers not more conscious about the plastics we're purchasing?
Read the article. It's a good quickie.
I'm now taking note of the plastic-wrapped foods I'm buying from Shaw's (or Meijers, or Kroger... wherever you live). And styrofoam will be a no-go. I want to further investigate the toxin amounts in Nalgene bottles, and how paranoid we should be about using any plastic. I would hate to throw out all the plastic forks in my dorm room.
I'm Alarmed!
Original Post: Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Beginning this blog, I want to put out there that I do already feel alarmed by the issue of toxins in plastics, particularly in water bottles. While I hope to find research proving that Nalgene or Aquafina bottles aren't so bad after all, I also expect to find great contrasts in research on this topic.
I want the Coca Cola capitalist and eco- green opinions on here to get the most well-rounded idea of what's happening. We as consumers need to be educated about harmful products, and if we need to be pulling from trends like using plastics, we should start now.
I encourage you all to be alarmed and check out this issue with me. Meanwhile, I'll be here wondering whether my aluminum water bottle was an unnecessary investment.
Melanie
Beginning this blog, I want to put out there that I do already feel alarmed by the issue of toxins in plastics, particularly in water bottles. While I hope to find research proving that Nalgene or Aquafina bottles aren't so bad after all, I also expect to find great contrasts in research on this topic.
I want the Coca Cola capitalist and eco- green opinions on here to get the most well-rounded idea of what's happening. We as consumers need to be educated about harmful products, and if we need to be pulling from trends like using plastics, we should start now.
I encourage you all to be alarmed and check out this issue with me. Meanwhile, I'll be here wondering whether my aluminum water bottle was an unnecessary investment.
Melanie
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