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Previous by Date: Subject: Re: URBAN LEGEND [DCHAS-L] Re-use mineral Water bottles Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:44:55 -0400 Author: Joyce Graf |
Next by Date: Subject: Re: the MSDS discussion Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 10:27:54 -0700 Author: Jim Kapin |
I recall seeing some coverage of the plastics/leachability of
additives in water bottles in Consumer Reports some time back. There
was some concern expressed about plasticizers and their endocrine
disruption potential, but nothing that rose to this level of threat.
A more specific and credible concern raised was the risk of microbial
contamination from the repeated reuse of disposable plastic bottles.
If I recall correctly, polyethylene (translucent or opaque plastic)
is more amenable to cleaning/not supporting microbes on the surface
compared to the crystal clear plastic used in disposable bottles, and
they advised against reuse of the clear bottles on that basis.
IMHO, the description of the 12 year olds death implies that this
involved the development of a fatal cancer within a 16 month period
from the beginning of exposure, an unlikely scenario with a chemical
carcinogen.
Don
>Dear Forum
>I would like to consult the opinion of the experts in the Forum on the
>following article that I have received. I would highly appreciate your
>response or guidance in order to check the authenticity of the article
>
> Article states that
>"DO NOT RE-USE Mineral Water Bottles"
>"Many are unaware of the poisoning caused by re-using plastic bottles. Some
>of you may be in the habit of using and re-using your disposable mineral
>water bottles (eg. Nestle, Bisleri, Aquafina, Evian e.t.c..) keeping them
>in your car or at work is not a good idea.
>It happened in Dubai, when a 12 year old girl died after a long usage (16
>months) of SAFA mineral water bottle, as she used to carry the same fancy
>(painted by herself) bottle to her school daily.
>
>In a nut shell, the plastic (called Polyethylene terephthalate or PET) used
>in these bottles contains a potentially carcinogenic element some thing
>called diethylhydroxylamine DEHA. The bottles are safe for one time use
>only; if you must keep them longer , it should be or not more than few days,
>week max, and keep them away from heat as well. Repeated washing and rinsing
>can cause the plastic to break down and the carcinogens (cancer-causing
>chemical agents) can leak into the water that you are drinking. better to
>invest in water bottles that are really meant for multiple use."
>
>
>Hope to hear from all of you about the credibility of the article, any ways
>I have checked on the MSDS of the chemical mentioned and couldn't find any
>clue for them to be carcinogens.
>
>Best Regards
>
>Rasim M Qureshi
>Safety Engineer
>United
--
Donald Abramowitz
Environmental Health and Safety Officer
Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010-2899
(610) 526-5166
fax: (610) 526-5220
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