Storage of Water – Plastic or Glass?
Samby from India writes:
Which are better… Plastic containers or Glass ?? Or is the same? For general day to day home storage.
Hi Samby, thank you for the question.
If it relates to long term water storage, than either plastic or glass is ok, provided you are able to properly pasteurize and seal the container. Please read this article from a similar question I got a while ago:
http://truthofwater.com/answers/2008/12/04/storage-of-distilled-water/
There is another concern with plastics, as certain plastics contain bisphenol A that can leach out into your drinking water. Studies are ongoing, and the amounts of this chemical leached into drinking water are very small. If it is a problem, it certainly is a chronic long term issue and not an acute on. Please read this article I wrote a while back on bisphenol A and plastics:
http://truthofwater.com/answers/2008/09/23/bisphenol-a-and-plastics/
One final comment on this issue, and it is a personal one. At home, I most prefer to drink water directly from the tap. However, if I were to store water at home for later use (such as in your refrigerator) I find that water from a glass container has a much better taste than from a plastic container.
However, if you were to take water with you on the go, glass is not your most friendly option. Plastic does not shatter like glass does. Stainless steel bottles are another popular option nowadays, but an expensive one.
I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if you need further clarifications or have another question.
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Bisphenol A and Plastics
Ale from Toronto writes:
How dangerous is it to drink water from a bottle laden with bisphenol A?
Hi Ale, thank you for the question.
Bisphenol A is an organic compound that is essential in the synthesis of certain polymers. In other words, it is used to make plastics.
One of the largest sources of bisphenol A is in a plastic called polycarbonate, which is used to make electronics, sports equipment, medical equipment, but you would be most familiar with it’s use in baby bottles and water bottles. It is also used in the manufacturing of plastic wrap and some epoxy coatings used in food containers.
The chemical has very low acute symptoms. This means that you won’t get sick from drinking it immediately. It has a cumulative and long term affect.
The word “laden” that you used is somewhat misleading. Very small amounts leach out of plastics due to contact with food and water. However, if you drink reverse osmosis bottled water, it is very corrosive and can and probably will leach more of the chemical than regular and more natural spring or tap water.
The actual health effect of this chemical is what’s known as an “endocrine disruptor”. That is, the chemical can mimic the bodies hormones and cause unwanted effects, such as a decrease in testosterone, changes in the genital tract, hyperactivity, and predisposition to breast and prostate cancer.
In my opinion, infrequent and low doses of bisphenol A carries a very low risk of adverse health problems because it is a chronic problem, not an acute one. Because it is a long term and chronic problem, your best bet would be to eliminate as much plastic as possible coming into contact with your food and drink.
For more information on the health effects of bisphenol A, contact your local health unit or medical practitioner. You may also reference the Environmental Defence web page about bisphenol A here for more information.
If you require any clarifications or have any other questions, please do not hesitate to send them in to us.
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