| How are drinking water containers relevant to your | | | | containers occasionally, you are probably safe. But, to |
| body's health and well being? The answer may | | | | drink out of one every day, all day long, would put |
| surprise you. | | | | you at risk for numerous changes in your health. |
| A drinking water container may be made from | | | | Kids are particularly sensitive to estrogen like |
| various materials, but one popular choice, particularly | | | | substances. That is the reason for the ban. But, since |
| for sports and hiking is polycarbonate. As I am an | | | | there is some concern for adults as well, some |
| avid hiker, the latest news about a chemical called | | | | companies now make a BPA free drinking water |
| Bisphenol A or BPA was of particular interest to me | | | | container for sports. |
| and perhaps to you, as well. | | | | My biggest concern is that another substance, |
| BPA is used to make polyesters and plastics of all | | | | phthalate, has been found to seep into liquids from a |
| kinds, but it is a key monomer in polycarbonate. | | | | plastic drinking water container and it has the same |
| Polycarbonate is a clear resin that is practically shatter | | | | effects on the human body as BPA. So, what |
| proof. It's used to make sports glasses and industrial | | | | happens when both are present? That's a question |
| eyewear, as well as drinking water containers and | | | | for the researchers. I am merely a health writer. |
| baby bottles. | | | | When it comes to your health, the safest choice for |
| On April 18, 2008 Canadian Health Minister Tony | | | | drinking water containers is glass. It may be |
| Clement announced that the country intends to ban | | | | impractical at times, but one company makes a nice |
| the import, sale, and advertising of polycarbonate | | | | shoulder bag that holds two of their bottles, so you |
| baby bottles containing BPA over safety concerns. | | | | can carry them with you safely and leave your hands |
| That made me curious, since polycarbonate is one of | | | | free. |
| the least breakable substances known to man. So, | | | | They also make some of the best purifiers on the |
| what could be safer for a baby bottle or a training | | | | market, with multiple stages to remove everything |
| cup? | | | | that has been found lately to contaminate our |
| It turns out that BPA acts like estrogen within the | | | | groundwater and flow out of our taps. If you buy |
| human body and thus disrupts production of | | | | one for the kitchen, you get a free glass drinking |
| endogenous hormones. When liquids are stored in a | | | | water container, so you can bottle your own at |
| drinking water container or bottle made from BPA, it | | | | home. |
| seeps into the liquid, thus contaminating it. | | | | It's a lot cheaper than buying bottled and better for |
| In sampling performed by the Center for Disease | | | | your health, because you know that nothing has |
| Control and Prevention in 2003 and 2004, 93% of | | | | "seeped" in. Plus, some of the bottling companies use |
| children and adults tested positive for BPA in their | | | | straight tap-water. They aren't required to provide |
| urine. Although the substance does not have | | | | something better, only as good. So, now you know |
| immediate effects, the concerns are over constant | | | | why drinking water containers are a health issue and |
| low dose exposure over the course of one's lifetime. | | | | you can drink up, from a glass. |
| So, if you only use polycarbonate drinking water | | | | |