The use of polycarbonate is widespread. It is used in the process of CD making, eye lenses, mp3 players and even the cockpit canopy of advance jets. The outstanding properties of polycarbonate include high impact resistance, lightweight and an outstanding optical quality (transparent to visible light) that rivals even glasses.The main concern is not the use of polycarbonate in these items BUT the use of polycarbonate in drinking bottles, baby bottles and food containers.
Scientist have discovered that polycarbonate may leach a certain chemical compound called Bisphenol A or BPA. This chemical mimics estrogen (a type of female hormone) and studies have shown that it could have some effect on the prostate gland, mammary gland and induced an early puberty in females. These endocrine disruptors pretend to be the body endogenous hormones (meaning the REAL hormones produced by the body in the endocrine system) thus disrupting the physiologic function of the hormones.
So how do you identify a polycarbonate container..? Positive identification includes clear labeling on the container (normally at the bottom) or a recycling symbol (also at the bottom) marked with the number 7. If you fail to find any markings (as far as I know, there is no legislation here or overseas that require product identification on polycarbonate), polycarbonate containers are CLEAR and RIGID plastics. In other words, it is transparent (of various colours), break resistant and tough plastic.
Big companies like Bayer, General Electric, DOW makes polycarbonate BUT labels them differently like Lexan, Calibre or Makrolon etc. The famous baby bottle company Avent produces cute bottles that are made of poly carbonate (my son used this bottles for more than 5 years) and only now we know that it is actually unsafe. There are scientific studies that show BPA leaching increases significantly if boiling water is used in the containers, up to 55 times more. As we all know, baby bottles are routinely washed and use hot boiling water to make milk. Microwave has the same effect in these containers. Here’s another catch…old bottles leached close to double the amount of BPA than newer ones (because cracks and scratches increases the surface area of these bottles).
So far Canada is the only country that bans baby bottles that contains bisphenol A. Will Malaysia follow suit..? IMO, unlikely within 1 year, maybe after 2-4 years (after everyone else has already ban it).
So how to avoid BPA.
a) Throw away bottles that contain BPA especially baby bottles. My Nalgene sport water bottle collection cost me nearly RM300. Now I have to start over.
b) Do not use water coolers that uses poly carbonate containers.
c) Select bottles that are made of tempered glass, polyethylene or polypropylene (recycling symbols 1,2 or 5).
Remember…you drink to quench your thirst…not to develop a third breast.
