Can plastic be BPA free?
The question, “can plastic be BPA free?” has long been a topic under scrutiny. This is because since 2007 when the anti-BPA movement gained momentum, there has been a demand that the use of BPA be banned. These pleas did not get to the federal level, but ever since, there has been a ban on the use of BPA and in children’s products generally. To date, many manufacturers have removed BPA from food containers and water bottles. This is generally a victory for the human race, taking into account the kind of effects that BPA has on the body of humans. This product is very harmful to us because it leaches into the water from the plastic water bottles we use and cause health problems for us.
How the chemical BPA works within the human body
BPA is an endocrine disruptor and imitates the hormones in the human body to cause various lethal effects to our health such as impotence in men and infertility in women, childhood asthma in children, brain alterations, obesity, cardiovascular diseases and it is also linked to cancer. To understand just how far-reaching the effects of this BPA can be, you may need to understand how it works within the body.
After the body produces hormones in endocrine tissues such as ovaries, testes and the thyroid, the hormones get sent into the blood stream where they are meant to bind with hormone receptors in various body parts. When this plugging happens, hormones activate various responses in the various bodies to stimulate activities such as growth, energy production and reproduction.
Now, BPA has a similar chemical shape to the hormone estrogen. It uses this to its advantage and can bind itself to the estrogen receptors. BPA will therefore be acting on receptors that already have estrogen because everyone basically has estrogen in their body. When the receptors are finally overloaded, it can alter cell operations in the entire human body. This is where all hell breaks loose. It does not take large amounts of BPA and other endocrine disruptors to cause endocrine disruption that can have far reaching effects on our bodies. The first step to understanding the answer to the question, can plastic be BPA free?
Is plastic BPA free?
BPA is used in the hardening of plastics, and clearly, when it is removed from the plastic bottles that we use, it means that something has to replace it to do perform the function that BPA does. The problem with BPA replacements is that they are also chemicals that are just as dangerous as or more dangerous than BPA itself. This is because to perform the same function as BPA, these chemicals have to be similar to BPA in structure. If the chemicals are similar in structure, it goes without saying that they are also bound to affect the human body in much of the same way as BPA. In worse cases, these chemical replacements can be more dangerous endocrine disruptors and could have better hormone mimicking properties which are very lethal for human health. This technically means that in answering the question, can plastic be BPA free? , the answer should be on the negative.
Human exposure to BPA and BPA related products occurs in various forms. When we are talking in terms of plastic, it can be in form of plastic water bottles or even in baby bottles. In the work place, we get into contact with this chemical in products such as thermal paper, which is then absorbed in to the human skin. This chemical is so much intertwined with our lives because it is even on the money we use today. This shows you that the chemical is largely a part of us and it will take a long time for it to go away. So far, it is clear to see that the question of can plastic be BPA free?, is self explanatory.
In the event of trying to explain our question of interest, (can plastic be BPA free? ) we begin to view the bottles from the manufacturer’s point of view. The plastic testing company called Certichem conducted a comprehensive test in which even the products that are marked as BPA free were found to leach chemicals that mimicked the hormone estrogen. The CEO of Plastipure (Certichem’s sister company) said he would not call any plastic safe; some are just safer than others. This is one of the reasons why it would be unwise to conclude that plastics can be BPA free. All these plastic water bottles either have BPA in them or they have chemicals that are similar to BPA in them.
The FDA has banned the use of BPA in the manufacture of baby bottles and kids’ Sippy cups while deeming that the amount of BPA absorbed by adults from water bottle products is in doses too low to cause harm to humans. This raises yet another question, how much plastic is too much? This is a question that may be hard to answer because almost everything is in some way packed in plastic. The cumulative effect of the plastic could be greater than anticipated by the FDA. Manufacturers are also out there, marketing their products as being “safe” for children and adults and this can equally be dangerous. The companies argue that their products have been approved for use by regulators in various areas such as the U.S. while the same regulators cannot pick calls to confirm that the claims are true. In the long debate involving the question, ”can plastic be BPA free?” it is better to be safe than sorry. These products, as we see are hard to verify if indeed do not have the BPA chemical. If they do not contain BPA, it is also likely that they will contain other chemicals with similar chemical structure and negative effects on human health as BPA will.
Where do stainless steel water bottles come in?
In the long lingering argument of “can plastic water bottles be BPA free?” there is an ultimate winner. Stainless steel water bottles are the safest bet you have against BPA. This is particularly because stainless steel water bottles are made of stainless steel which is an alloy. Alloys do not leach because they cannot be able to react. This simply means that if you put your water in a plastic water bottle, the contents will react under conditions such as high temperature. Stainless steel water bottles on the other hand, being that they are made from alloys, will not react under any adverse conditions. Stainless steel water bottles like the one that is produced by the Coldest Water will shield you from any BPA products for a long time. This is because you can use the bottles over and over again as compared to plastic water bottles which you will use only once and throw away. Most of the stainless steel water bottles come with even a stainless steel, plastic free cap. This helps to ensure that you are foolproof to all forms of plastic that could leach even the slightest amounts of BPA to the water you drink.
Plastic water bottles can be negative on our health but through the use of healthier alternatives, a lot can change. If we would stop using bottles containing BPA, we would be in a much healthier world, and we will no longer have to ask ourselves, “can plastic be BPA free?”
Other effects of plastic water bottles
Besides the fact that plastic water bottles contain this toxic chemical called BPA, plastic water bottles also have other negative effects that are worth discussion.
Plastic water bottles cause environmental pollution. This happens because every year, millions of plastic water bottles enter the ecosystem when they are dumped into landfills. Plastic is not biodegradable and thus they remain in the ground for many years. This is quite dangerous for the environment, as our soils depend on the decomposition of various materials to enable the ecosystem to balance well. With a lot of plastic in the ground, it creates a disruption in the eco-system. Some companies may choose to have their plastic water bottles recycled; this is not of much use either. This is because a lot of resources are used in the recycling of plastic water bottles. There is also emission of harmful bi-products such as Carbon (IV) oxide during the recycling of plastic water bottles. These gases are not healthy for the environment too because they deplete the ozone layer. When the ozone layer gets depleted, we can no longer be protected by the atmosphere from the sun’s harmful rays. This further puts us in a compromising situation as the human race struggling to maintain existence on earth.
When plastic water bottles are recycled, it uses up energy in form of oil. Oil is produced from fossil fuels that are seated deep under the earth. When this oil is used up in large amounts during recycling, we are depleting the little resources we have left to sustain us as a generation and those that will come after us. It is therefore more advisable to avoid the question of can plastic be BPA free? And focus more on finding solutions to the other current problems caused by the use of plastic water bottles in the world.
Another positive step to take rather than to ask, “can plastic be BPA free” could be to invest in the use of better alternatives such as stainless steel water bottles. In this way, we are able to use one bottle for a long period and save the world.
Another advantage of using stainless steel water bottles is that they tend to be more economic over time. A good stainless steel water bottle is likely to make you dig deep into your pockets in order that you may buy it. In the long run though, it is cost effective because you will not need to buy one for a long period of time as compared to when using plastic water bottles. Stainless steel water bottles such as the Coldest Water bottle last longer and thus help you save on the costs associated by buying plastic water bottles repeatedly. This is among the reasons why everyone should simply quit asking, “Can plastic be BPA free?” and focus on the other important issues that face the health industry.
Ensuring our safety against BPA is also paramount and that is why we should take crucial steps to ensure that we have the minimum contact with the BPA chemical. There are several things you could do to enhance the cushioning you have against the chemical. They include: getting rid of all plastic water bottles and replacing them with better options such as glass and stainless steel water bottles, using glass or stainless steel mugs instead of plastic mugs, avoiding the use of plastic warps to cover food, getting rid of old plastic and not washing them in the dishwasher or using harsh detergents that might illicit reactions.
Through the use of stainless steel water bottles and the use of safe practices in concern to plastic BPA, we can be able to live in a much healthier world. Various water bottle companies have come up with brilliant ideas and developed the stainless steel water bottles that are an alternative to the plastic water bottles. Various campaigns and advertisements have assured the public of the quality of stainless steel water bottles. These bottles are well designed so it is equally appealing to the eye. An example of the bottles with a well designed logo and interesting color scheme is the Coolest Water bottle that has risen to the top of the market in recent times due to its quality provision in the hydration experience. These bottles are also economical and help in environmental preservation. If you choose to invest in the Coldest Water bottle, then we can assure you that you will never regret your choice. This is the bottle that will answer all your ideal water bottle questions. The Coldest Water stainless steel water bottle is a keeper that will stay with you for life.
