Editor's Note: This article has been corrected. See below.
Running a fever, throwing up and growing bacteria inside of his stomach didn't seem like it could be connected to a plastic water bottle.
But for an anonymous Chico resident, there was no other explanation for his illness.
Once he checked himself into the hospital, the doctors at Chico Immediate Care Medical Center started ruling out all kinds of possible causes such as food poisoning, he said.
But the illness didn't halt until he stopped reusing his plastic water bottle which he'd been transferring back and forth between the freezer and his car, he said. However, since he started using a Klean Kanteen, he hasn't had a problem.
Chico State is also doing its part to inform students on the issue.
A.S. Sustainability has tried to warn students to steer clear of water bottles and the hazards they can cause not only to the environment, but to themselves as well, said Robyn DiFalco, A.S. Sustainability coordinator.
Bisphenol-A, or BPA, a harmful chemical found in many plastics, is released into water bottles when the bottle undergoes drastic temperature changes, DiFalco said.
Nalgene water bottles are also an issue, she said. These bottles and other polyethylene terephthalate or PET plastics have a number written on the bottom of the bottle that warn people of possible dangers. PET No. 1, 2, 5 and 7 have phthalates endocrine disrupters that can harm the human reproductive system.
"Putting a water bottle in the dishwasher and then freezing it changes the temperature multiple times," she said. "The older the bottle, the worse the situation becomes for the person."
The FDA does not consider water bottles harmful yet, DiFalco said. They won't until something very serious happens to a person and then they will start to ban them.
"Lots of plastics have issues," she said.
Nalgene water bottles are also an issue, she said. These bottles and other polyethylene terephthalate or PET plastics have a number written on the bottom of the bottle that warn people of possible dangers. PET No. 1, 2, 5 and 7 have phthalates endocrine disrupters that can harm the human reproductive system.
Stainless steel bottles such as the Klean Kanteen and filters such as Brita are the best way to go, DiFalco said.
Other sustainability experts agree.
The flavor of Chico tap water might not be satisfying, but it is clean and safe without filtration, said Deanna Dottai, A.S. Sustainability project coordinator.
Brita is a pure filtration system option, she said. It is a way to make water taste better and ensure the safety.
This controversy about the hazards of plastics is growing all the time.
Recent studies the National Toxicology Program with the National Institutes of Health have raised concerns about the health risks posed by bisphenol-A, or BPA, an ingredient in many hard, clear-plastic bottles, including sports and baby bottles, according to an article in the since-closed Seattle Post-Intellegencer. This chemical can mimic estrogen, and may cause neural and behavioral harm in infants and children, and possibly other ill effects in adults.
Bisphenol-A plastics are sometimes identified by the No. 7 recycling symbol, according to the article. Some health experts recommend using glass, stainless steel and aluminum containers, water filters or plastics labeled with the No. 2, 4 or 5 symbols.
But water filters also need to be used with caution.
Junior Emily Derecat found mold growing inside of her Brita water filter when she changed it.
"The filter hadn't been changed in six months," Derecat said. "My roommates and I were drinking mold for about three of those six months."
There were not any health issues, just the shock of how much mold accumulated, she said.
"We now change it once a month." Derecat said. "We like our water to be clean."
Calleene Egan can be reached at cegan@theorion.com
8 ways to avoid hazardous plastic
1. Store foods and beverages in glass, stainless steel or BPA - free containers
2. Don't wash plastic in the dishwasher
3. Never microwave plastic
4. Throw out scratched plastic containers
5. Limit canned foods
6. Don't use plastic coffee or tea-brewing appliances
7. Use a stainless steel or glass container
The article incorrectly stated that bacteria is released into water bottles. The Orion's reporters strive for accuracy. We recognize that mistakes will occur, but we treat every error very seriously. If you feel a correction needs to be made, e-mail the managing editor at managingeditor@theorion.com
Be the first to comment on this article!