From:
"lothiriel_bb"
Date: 2008-09-01 12:37:38 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: glass vs. plastic
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I haven't read anything recently regarding the _hygienic_ differences
between glass and plastic. I remember reading an article a while back
regarding baby bottles that discussed the fact that the plastic is
more porous and therefor some nutrients in formula may cling to the
inside and not get to baby. But, for bottles for our fur-babies that
are only used for water that would not apply.
There have been a lot of articles lately regarding the safety of
various plastics. As Sukie mentioned, the hard, see-through plastics
are of the most concern. These types typically contain a chemical
called BPA which, though the EPA initially deemed it safe for use, is
being heavily scrutinized and, last I read, may soon be banned for
use in children's products. You can get a brief summary of the
concerns with BPA here: http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-
friendly/6373?click=main_sr and there are several links with the
article if you want to read more indepth.
With this in mind, if you want to opt for a plastic water bottle,
there's a guide for which plastics are safe available here:
http://www.thegreenguide.com/products/Kitchen/Plastic_Containers Just
look for the recycling symbol on the bottle and check it on the list.
Most of the frosty-looking bottles that are soft are #2HDPE, which is
considered 100% safe. Just keep in mind that the plastic, no matter
what type you choose, does eventually start to break down so you
should replace them after a few years. Also, be sure to thoroughly
clean new bottles before using them. That "new plastic" smell (which
results from the off-gassing of the chemicals) needs to be gone.
From an environmental perspective, glass is the better option.
Pastics are made with petro-chemicals (with the exception of the new
corn plastics), so the manufacturing alone produces environmental
pollution. Yes, the old bottles can be recycled, but during the
recycling process even more pollution results.
- Brandy
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Sukie Crandall <sukie@...> wrote:
> some RELATED INFO.
>
> Your question reminds me of something else that I meant to share.
In
> the past there have been worries whether the clear, hard but
> unbreakable form of plastic might pose health risks from hormonal
> input of pseudo-estrogens. There is a wonderfully balanced update
on
> research into that in the new September issue of Scientific
American
> which is mainly on "the Future of Privacy". The article begins on
> page 108 and goes through page 111. Look for the Insights:
> Toxicology section if you find it in other ways, with the title
being
> "Safety Dance over Plastic" and the author Adam Hinterthuer.
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