How Does it Affect Society?
While plastic water bottles may be one of the most popular ways of transporting and storing water, the plastic that the water is being contained in could lead to some serious health affects for humans. Polycarbonates are hard, clear plastics that are used to make plastic water bottles and other containers (Clancy et al. 427). The plastic is called polycarbonate plastic because the formula is comprised of carbonate groups, as shown in the diagram above ("Polycarbonates"). Polycarbonates are made using a chemical called Bisphenol A, more commonly known as BPA. Also shown in the diagram above, the BPA reacts with sodium hydroxide to get the salt of BPA. Once the salt of BPA is acquired, it is reacted with Phosgene, CCl2O ("Polycarbonates"). While water in polycarbonate bottles may look healthy enough to drink, polycarbonate bottles leach BPA into the water, especially if the bottle gets hot or warn out and scratched. Because BPA is water soluble, it is not easily seen or recognized in the water by citizens (Barney). BPA can also leach into food products, especially if the food is acidic or if the container gets hot (Barney). Polycarbonate is just one type of plastic. There are many that can also leach harmful chemicals such as PET. Phthalates are also chemicals that are added to the production of plastic to make plastic more flexible. Studies conducted by the Food and Drug Administration have shown that small quantities of Phthalates leach into water and food and that even in small doses, these chemicals are still dangerous as they have been proven to cause behavioural and hormonal changes within humans ("Q&A: Bisphenol A and Plastics").
The main health concerns associated with water bottled in plastic containers are the chemicals that can leach into the water without the humans that are consuming it even knowing. BPA is a dangerous chemical and is suspected to be one of the leading causes for illnesses such as prostate and breast cancer and heart disease ("Plastics: Danger Where We Least Expect It"). It is also proven to trigger biological changes inside the body (Clancy et al. 427). BPA are located in baby bottles also, which could lead to higher exposure of BPA to babies, which is even more dangerous because of their young age.
The main health concerns associated with water bottled in plastic containers are the chemicals that can leach into the water without the humans that are consuming it even knowing. BPA is a dangerous chemical and is suspected to be one of the leading causes for illnesses such as prostate and breast cancer and heart disease ("Plastics: Danger Where We Least Expect It"). It is also proven to trigger biological changes inside the body (Clancy et al. 427). BPA are located in baby bottles also, which could lead to higher exposure of BPA to babies, which is even more dangerous because of their young age.
Tap Water vs. Bottled Water
Society tends to sway more towards bottled water because of the fear of the unknown bacteria, pathogens, or waterborne diseases that may come out of the tap. People think bottled water is cleaner, and therefore, more healthy. Advertising also contributes to these thoughts as many advertisers, to get people to buy the product, will feed the public untrue information that tap water is dirty and that water that is purchased in a bottle is therefore, clean. Tap water does, in fact, contain many essential nutrients that is filtered out of bottled water in order for it to taste a certain way. Tap water is constantly being tested for bacteria such as E. Coli and other disease-causing organisms (Clancy et al. 428). However, this is not the case for bottled water. Water that is bottled in plastic is less frequently tested for bacteria by the Food and Drug Administration because it comes from municipal ground water or springs which is assumed to be clean and healthy drinking water (Huber).
BPA Levels
BPA's chemical formula is C15H16O2. BPA is extremely dangerous in low doses and is found in many food products and in the protective lining of canned products. The chart to the left displays the levels of BPA in different food products that are sold.
Many studies have been done to further prove the health affects of BPA. In the United States, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study testing urine samples across America among the many ages and races. These studies have shown that early-life exposure to BPA may cause long-term consequences ("Q&A Bisphenol A and Plastics"). Studies done in animals also showed that exposure to BPA during infancy greater impacted brain development and behavioural patterns ("Q&A Bisphenol A and Plastics").
These health affects impact the human race greatly because these chemicals prove to be dangerous. But, it also impacts citizens' occupations because without the production of plastic, millions of people would lose their jobs, causing a great economic burden. However, plastic continues to be increasingly popular right now, and many people would not give up plastic water bottles because of the many suspicions they still have with tap water. Knowing this, plastic production factories will be in business for a very long time, which means millions of people will keep their jobs and be able to continue to provide for their families.
Many studies have been done to further prove the health affects of BPA. In the United States, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention conducted a study testing urine samples across America among the many ages and races. These studies have shown that early-life exposure to BPA may cause long-term consequences ("Q&A Bisphenol A and Plastics"). Studies done in animals also showed that exposure to BPA during infancy greater impacted brain development and behavioural patterns ("Q&A Bisphenol A and Plastics").
These health affects impact the human race greatly because these chemicals prove to be dangerous. But, it also impacts citizens' occupations because without the production of plastic, millions of people would lose their jobs, causing a great economic burden. However, plastic continues to be increasingly popular right now, and many people would not give up plastic water bottles because of the many suspicions they still have with tap water. Knowing this, plastic production factories will be in business for a very long time, which means millions of people will keep their jobs and be able to continue to provide for their families.