Are plastic water bottles safe? Lets Find Out (2)

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5. PP (polypropylene)

The best option for plastic materials, especially for dealing with food and beverages as a place to store food, bottled water and most bottled water for infants. Common characteristic is transparent bottles that are not clear or cloudy. Search this symbol when buying goods made from plastic.

6. PS (polystyrene)

Commonly used as a place to eat from Styrofoam, disposable drinking places, etc... Polystyrene materials can leak into food ingredients styrene when food is in contact. Styrine material harmful to the brain and nervous system. Besides the food, styrine also be obtained from cigarette smoke, fumes and building construction materials. This material should be avoided and many U.S. states have banned the use made of Styrofoam food places including China.

7. OTHER

Recycling logo printed with number 7 in the center, as well as a note
- Other (SAN? Styrene acrylonitrile, ABS - acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, PC - polycarbonate, Nylon).

• Can be found in the food and drinks such as sports drink bottles, auto parts, household appliances, computers, electrical appliances, and plastic packaging.
• PC - Polycarbonate can be found in baby bottles, toddler cups (sippy cup), polycarbonate drinking bottles, and cans of food and beverage packaging, including cans of infant formula.
• Main material is Bisphenol-A that can contaminatefood and beverages that may damage the hormone system, the chromosomes in the ovaries, decreased sperm production, and alter immune function.
• It is advisable not to be used to place food or drink because of Bisphenol-A can contaminate drink or food if the temperature is increased due to heating. Ironically bottle is very likely to have the heating process, whether it be for the purpose of sterilization by boiling, microwave, or pour boiling water or hot water.
• SAN and ABS has a high resistance to chemical reaction and temperature, strength, stiffness, and the level of violence has increased.
• Usually found on the mixer bowl, wrapping flasks, dishes, cutlery, coffee filters, and a toothbrush, while ABS is commonly used as pipe material and lego toys.
• SAN and ABS is one of the very good plastic material to use.

What information can be obtained from the symbol?

We must be wise in using plastics, especially plastics with codes 1, 3, 6, and 7 (especially polycarbonate), all have a chemical hazard. This does not mean that the plastic with the other code as a whole is safe, but needs to be studied further.

So, if we have to use plastic, will be safer when using plastics with codes 2, 4, 5, and 7 (except polycarbonate) whenever possible. If there is no plastic on the packaging code, or if the type of plastic is not clear (eg in code 7, which is not always a polycarbonate), the safest way is to contact the manufacturer and ask them about the type of plastic used to make these products.