Drinking from plastic water bottles and estrogenic affects...

[08vistabluegt]

I have read various news articles that claim plastic water bottles release chemicals that when consumed can cause the production of estrogen in males to rise. If this is the case, is it a minute amount or a significant amount to be concerned about?

Discuss...

[Izabella87]

I have read various news articles that claim plastic water bottles release chemicals that when consumed can cause the production of estrogen in males to rise. If this is the case, is it a minute amount or a significant amount to be concerned about?

Discuss...

Hmm lately everything increase estrogen in males from what ive heard.. soy, plastic bottles... I honestly think its mostly that bull**** they feed our crops and animals that make us hormonally unbalanced and long term strange illnesses will appear...

[newb-to-lifting]

Take off your tin foil hat and drink your water.

That computer you're sitting in front of is giving off radiation. You gonna stop using the computer?

[Milone79]

^^ stupid comment..just because someone has a legitimate concern about estrogen causing chemicals (something that has been scientifically proven) he is automatically labeled a tin hat wearing conspiracy theorist?? How about you get your head out of your ass and do some research for a change....there is a huge increase in estrogen causing chemicals in our products...ever heard of Bisphenol-A???

The Bro Science in this place amazes me everytime someone thinks outside of the box and questions the "norms"....did you know that a newborn baby now has as many as 200 different foreign chemicals in it's body the moment it is born...never in the histroy of the world have we been so bombarded with so many toxins and pollutants...men's testosterone levels have been on the decrease for the past 20 years...what do you think is causing all of this??

[newb-to-lifting]

Better stop carrying your meals around in plastic containers then, or buying chicken breasts wrapped in plastic. The list goes on and on. You cannot avoid things that are bad for you no matter how hard you try. Just live and stop worrying about every little thing.

You aren't going to develop breasts from a water bottle.

[Daio]

You aren't going to develop breasts from a water bottle.

but you could develop cancer.

There is a threat of plastic water bottles giving off a cancer causing chemical (BPA or BHA???). However, the threat is greatly increased if plastic water bottles are re-used, as the wear & tear on the bottles surface increases the release of this chemical into the water.

There are all different types of plastics....the types used for water bottles & cling film especially are the biggest threat :$

[wrkoutfrq]

the idea behind this is the contamination of bisphenol A (BPA) in plastic containers. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen. meta-analyses have shown (can't recall the specific authors at the moment) that the effects on humans are minimal due to the low levels that people are typically exposed to it. plus, the majority of the studies showing it's estrogenic effects have been performed on other organisms, which def. doesn't mean that the results from those studies will be replicated in humans.

if i remember correctly it was just recommended that people avoid things like tomatoes, acidic fruits, etc. that are packaged in cans (lined with plastic that is) because of the higher rate of leeching (from the acids). there is also a company which cans and bottles
food items without BPA, so if you are really worried about it buy that stuff.

just keep in mind that you are still exposed to some of it, just like you are mercury, arsenic, nitrates, etc. can't be helped, but the amounts are insignificant

[snorkelman]

Better stop carrying your meals around in plastic containers then, or buying chicken breasts wrapped in plastic.

The studies that I have seen seemed to link the issues with polycarbonate (PCB) in plastic water bottles mainly when someone re-uses the bottles, washed them in high heat (dishwasher), drinks cold liquids from them (refrigerated water), etc. So, if you are reheating your chicken in a plastic container instead of on a microwave-safe plate, then you may have an issue.

[newb-to-lifting]

but you could develop cancer.

Everything gives you cancer. Stressing out and thinking about cancer can give you cancer.
Life is too short to worry about every damn little thing. Enjoy it while your here. You could spend every day trying to prevent getting cancer by eating a certain way and avoiding certain things and die in a car crash. Or be around or exposed to everything that causes cancer 24/7 and live to be 100 years old.

My point is, don't stress about the small things.

[newb-to-lifting]

I also find it funny when people worry about a water bottle but stuff 20 lbs of grilled chicken breasts down their gullet week after week and never give a thought to the carcinogens they are consuming. I bet you are doing way more harm to your body with than then a water bottle.

[Milone79]

Right there are many things that could potentially cause cancer...my point is while you cant avoid them all you definatley can REDUCE your risks...taknig simple steps every day can reduce your exposure to these chemicals..I recently threw out all my plastic tupperware in favour of glass container...they dont stain, scratch and are easy to clean...I also got rid of my "non-stick" frying pan that was begining to wear out and bout a non stick "chemical free" cast iron pan...little steps like this can make a difference in the long run.

"An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure"

[Explain]

The industry is starting to wise up. You can find BPA-free plastics for nearly everything now. I only buy a plastic container if it says BPA free on it somewhere or if I can find somewhere on the company website where it says it is bpa free.

[08vistabluegt]

Great points and info so far guys!

[Snoogens]

The studies that I have seen seemed to link the issues with polycarbonate (PCB) in plastic water bottles mainly when someone re-uses the bottles, washed them in high heat (dishwasher), drinks cold liquids from them (refrigerated water), etc. So, if you are reheating your chicken in a plastic container instead of on a microwave-safe plate, then you may have an issue.

^ agree on this one

[defury]

Only certain types of bottles give off BPA, Don't use those. Or you could stop drinking water all together because there are chemicals in tap and bottled alike.

[wrkoutfrq]

The studies that I have seen seemed to link the issues with polycarbonate (PCB) in plastic water bottles mainly when someone re-uses the bottles, washed them in high heat (dishwasher), drinks cold liquids from them (refrigerated water), etc. So, if you are reheating your chicken in a plastic container instead of on a microwave-safe plate, then you may have an issue.

not to nitpick, but polycarbonate is not PCB... PCB's are polychlorinated biphenyls, which is a form of organochlorine compound found in pesticides. but i agree with the reheating the plastics, prolly best not to do it...

[08vistabluegt]

Only certain types of bottles give off BPA, Don't use those. Or you could stop drinking water all together because there are chemicals in tap and bottled alike.

Do you have a list of which bottles give off BPA? So how does water out of the tap (that is not exposed to plastic), give off the same chemicals?

[snorkelman]

not to nitpick, but polycarbonate is not PCB... PCB's are polychlorinated biphenyls, which is a form of organochlorine compound found in pesticides. but i agree with the reheating the plastics, prolly best not to do it...

HA! I must be tired this morning. You, of course, are right, and the BPA is what I was talking about.

Do you have a list of which bottles give off BPA?

I do what someone else above suggested...just buy waterbottles that specifically say BPA-free.

[defury]

Bottles stamped with a 7 or something give off BPA, I forget the exact numbers I am sure you could google it.

As for tap water it has other chemicals that are bad for you, in context of what I said.

[typh]

Bottles stamped with a 7 or something give off BPA, I forget the exact numbers I am sure you could google it.

As for tap water it has other chemicals that are bad for you, in context of what I said.

^^^^ image attached.


I use CAMELBAK water bottles which are BPA free - I also stay away from anything that has a 7 on it. I do microwave in my plastic containers but I make sure they are microwavable and BPA free.

[x-ray vision]

To be certain that you are choosing a bottle that does not leach, check the recycling symbol on your bottle. If it is a #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene), your bottle is fine. The type of plastic bottle in which water is usually sold is usually a #1, and is only recommended for one time use. Do not refill it. Better to use a reusable water bottle, and fill it with your own filtered water from home and keep these single-use bottles out of the landfill.

Unfortunately, those fabulous colourful hard plastic lexan bottles made with polycarbonate plastics and identified by the #7 recycling symbol, may leach BPA.

http://trusted.md/blog/vreni_gurd/20...#axzz0wDg5heeE

[08vistabluegt]

^^^^ image attached.


I use CAMELBAK water bottles which are BPA free - I also stay away from anything that has a 7 on it. I do microwave in my plastic containers but I make sure they are microwavable and BPA free.

Might be a stupid question, but besides the recycle insignia, what does the 7 signify?

[newb-to-lifting]

Might be a stupid question, but besides the recycle insignia, what does the 7 signify?

Here's a list of what all the numbers mean:

Recycling by the numbers
By Green Living Tips | Published 08/1/2009 | home

Recycling plastics - what the numbers mean + cheat sheet
On most plastic jars, containers and other packaging of products you buy, you'll find what's generally accepted as the recycling logo with a number in the middle and sometimes letters underneath stamped into the plastic.

The recycling logo can be a little misleading - just about anything can be recycled, but sometimes not without major effort. It's a little bit like extracting oil from under the ocean bed compared to extracting oil from tar sands; none of it's really good as such, but some plastics are far, far worse than others.

The Society of the Plastics Industry (SPI) implemented the system in 1988 to allow recyclers to be able to tell the different types of plastics when sorting. Basically, the numbers in the triangle indicate the grade of plastic - the resin ID code. It's now a system that's used in many different countries.

The following is what to look for and what it all means. If you're in a rush, you might like to download my free plastics recycling cheat sheet (PDF) - it's a handy tool you can print out and pin up where you have your garbage and recycling bins - and saves you having to remember what each code signifies.


Download a free plastics recycling cheat sheet! (PDF)

1 - PETE - Polyethylene Terephthalate

The easiest of plastics to recycle. Often used for soda bottles, water bottles and many common food packages. Is recycled into bottles and polyester fibers

2 - HDPE - High density Polyethylene

Also readily recyclable - Mostly used for packaging detergents, bleach, milk containers, hair care products and motor oil. Is recycled into more bottles or bags.

3 - PVC - Polyvinyl Chloride

This stuff is everywhere - pipes, toys, furniture, packaging - you name it. Difficult to recycle and PVC is a major environmental and health threat.

4 - LDPE Low-density Polyethylene

Used for many different kinds of wrapping, grocery bags and sandwich bags and can be recycled into more of the same.

5 - PP - Polypropylene

Clothing, bottles, tubs and ropes. Can be recycled into fibers.

6 - PS - Polystyrene

Cups, foam food trays, packing peanuts. Polystyrene (also known as styrofoam) is a real problem as it's bulky yet very lightweight and that makes it difficult to recycle. For example, a carload of expanded polystyrene would weigh next to nothing so there's not a lot of materials to reclaim, particularly when you take into account the transport getting it to the point of recycling. It can however be reused. Learn more about recycling polystyrene.

7 - Other

Could be a mixture of any and all of the above or plastics not readily recyclable such as polyurethane. Avoid it if you can - recyclers generally speaking don't want it.

[Quadzilla99]

The studies that I have seen seemed to link the issues with polycarbonate (PCB) in plastic water bottles mainly when someone re-uses the bottles, washed them in high heat (dishwasher), drinks cold liquids from them (refrigerated water), etc. So, if you are reheating your chicken in a plastic container instead of on a microwave-safe plate, then you may have an issue.

I work out at Anytime fitness and use an unlimited water pass and fill up like a ton of gallon jugs with distilled water from their machine you really think this is a problem?

[x-ray vision]

^ See post 21.

[cumminslifter]

strong 3 year bump