In the News

Toxins in Your Water Bottle?

Manufacturers say that we’re safe, but recent developments tell us otherwise.

Lightweight, convenient, portable—no wonder everyone carries around one of those nifty plastic water bottles. Ideal for work and even working out, they’re a perfect (not to mention perfectly affordable) way to stay hydrated on the go, and the best part is that you can refill them anywhere. But what if there was something inside your water bottle that was making you sick?

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a key component used in the manufacture of a wide variety of plastic products on the market today, including food and beverage containers, baby bottles, and yes—even those nifty refillable water bottles you can purchase just about anywhere. The problem, studies reveal, is that BPA is a toxin—a particularly dangerous toxin that can interact with the body’s endocrine (hormone) system and pose significant health risks to humans. Yet, despite accumulating evidence citing the risks involved with BPA, the majority of today’s leading plastic manufacturers continue to tell us that we’re perfectly safe, even going so far as to spin recent FDA research to ensure consumers that there are no “serious” concerns with regard to BPA exposure. Science, however, continues to prove otherwise.

The National Toxicology Program, part of the National Institutes of Health, released a brief in April 2008 outlining their findings on the effects of BPA in animals and humans. Specific attention was paid to the effects on human development and reproduction and whether or not current exposure levels were cause for concern. While data concerning human exposure is still in its preliminary stages, tests on laboratory animals revealed that “…exposure to high levels of bisphenol A during pregnancy and/or lactation can reduce survival, birth weight, and growth of offspring early in life, and delay the onset of puberty in males and females…” Even in much lower doses BPA was found to cause a variety of effects related to neurological and behavioral problems, as well as altered prostate gland and urinary tract development, and an increased risk of certain types of cancer.

A 2005 study published by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences also found significant cause for concern with regard to low-dose exposure to BPA. In fact, they concluded that “90% of government-funded studies have reported significant effects” attributed to low levels of BPA and recommended a more thorough, long-term analysis be conducted due to the risk at hand. Specifically, they cited concerns such as the extensive use by humans of plastic water bottles, as well as evidence that the average BPA level in human blood and tissue samples was considerably greater than those that caused health risks in laboratory animals.

Over the last decade extensive research has exposed BPA as a powerful hormone disruptor that can damage the reproductive organs and may alter the developmental process in humans. As a result, BPA may increase the risk of birth defects and has been linked to neurological disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). Further, exposure to BPA can cause complications during pregnancy, including miscarriage, and because of its effects on cellular function it may predispose a developing fetus to cancer, specifically breast and prostate cancer scientists have found.

Safer Ways to Get Your H2O on the Go

Though several plastic manufacturers continue to dismiss any cause for concern with regard to BPA, some, including leading bottle producer Nalgene, have promised to stop using plastic containing bisphenol A in their products. Even the retail giant Wal-Mart announced recently that it will no longer sell baby bottles made with BPA beginning early next year. Such choices, officials say, have been prompted by growing customer concern. So what to do if you’re worried about toxins in your to-go bottle? Many companies now make non-BPA plastic water bottles, many of which come with built-in filters to avoid exposure to other contaminants including bacteria, pesticides, heavy metals, and even pharmaceutical drugs that have been reabsorbed into the water supply by unsafe disposal methods. Glass bottles are also a smart choice.

Finally, ensuring a clean, pure water supply in your home is essential, as roughly 7 million Americans become ill from contaminated tap water each year. Household filtration systems are available, or you may opt for individual filters for each faucet, depending on your budget. That way, you can say ‘so long’ to BPA and replenish your bottle—and your body—with nothing but water.

For more information about cleansing and detoxification, visit DetoxStrategy.com, the website of Brenda Watson's Detox Strategy: Vibrant Health in 5 Easy Steps.

Further Detoxification Information

• Take the 'Are You Toxic Quiz?'
• Detox and cleansing supplements
• Watch the PBS Special: Brenda Watson's Detox Strategy

Back