In the past few years, there has been an awakening about how mankind’s abuse of the environment has come back to impact our health in many ways. Our use and misuse of plastic has become a popular topic among those who aspire to keep our planet safe for future generations. Also the easy availability, at low prices, of reusable plastic bottles at any convenience store or mall has seen them become the preferred option for storage and regular use as far as drinking water is concerned. Labelled as ‘fridge bottles, sports bottles’, etc., these plastic bottles have pervaded our homes and become a part of our lifestyle.

With all the outcry about the dangers of plastic and the negative impact to our environment, it’s only logical to examine the effect of using plastic to store our all-important drinking water. Are we really causing harm to ourselves and our families ? The first and biggest threat to our well-being is from the material used to make the bottles. Plasticbottles are made from a combination of organic raw materials, which undergo rigorous processing to obtain the required consistency and shape. Over time and when exposed to warmer temperatures, the chemicals used to create the bottle tend to seep into the water and have severe consequences for our health. The primary culprits are the chemical Bisphenol A (also known as BPA), and phthalates which are chemicals used to make plastic soft and pliant.

BPA impacts our hormones as it is an endocrine disruptor, which means that it has toxic effecton our ability to reproduce. BPA may also be responsible for a number of health problems such as Type 2 diabetes, infertility, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Phthalates have many adverse effects, increasing the risk of ailments such as cancer, ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), male fertility issues, obesity and asthma. The second compelling reason to avoid plastic bottles is the difficulty in effectively disposing of them. Being non-biodegradable, plastic just breaks into smaller and smaller pieces, but never completely disappears. It is not that easy to recycle plastic bottles either and around 90% of them do find their way into landfills or end up polluting our environment, soil and oceans.

When outside the house or when we are travelling, we often quench our thirst by going for packaged drinking water available in plastic bottles. Somehow the presentation and ‘clearness’ of the water convinces us that this bottle and the water inside is safe and of good quality. Sadly, the fact is that the source of this water is often questionable, and in many case, downright unhygienic and unhealthy. These packaged water bottles present a double threat to us, as not only is the water unsafe, but we tend to re-use what is meant to be a single-use bottle and face the risk of chemical seepage.

So what should we use as an alternative ?

The best option is to go for reusable non-plastic bottles as they are safer, long-lasting and have a minimal environmental impact.

Glass bottles are a great alternative to plastic bottles. Mankind has used glass bottles to storeboth liquids and solids for centuries. The advantage is that they are completely free of anychemicals, are easy to clean, do not impart any odour or taste and best of all, can be recycled easily. As far as cons are concerned, they can be heavy, difficult to transport and prone to breakage.

Given the above, stainless steel bottles are possibly the best option to consider. Being ‘foodgrade’ and free of dangerous chemicals, they are completely safe to store water or other liquids in. They are easy to clean, easy to dispose of being recyclable, and some brands provide insulated bottlesto carry liquids at various temperatures without any harmful consequences. They are alsomuch stronger and more durable than plastic bottles. They are versatile enough to be used for everyday use at home as well as during travel.

Conclusion

With the abundance and over-use of plastic in every aspect of our life, we are putting the health of our families at risk. One area which is dangerous and generally overlooked is the use of plastic bottles for drinking water. Chemicals from these bottles pose a genuine health hazard and can give rise to multiple disorders. Also, disposable of these bottles is problematic and hence they tend to be re-used.

The solution is to go for reusable water bottles as they can be safer, durable and eco-friendly. he best options for reusable water bottles are those made out of either glass or stainless steel. Being free of toxic chemicals, easier to clean and completely recyclable, they address all our pressing concerns regarding health, utility and the environment.