How to Tell If Your Plastic Water Bottle Contains BPA

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used to make polycarbonate, a hard, clear plastic. It has been used in plastic bottles and metal food cans since the 1960s. BPA leaches from plastic containers and liners into food and beverages. Scientific studies show that BPA may adversely affect the mental, behavioral and hormonal health of fetuses, infants and young children. It may also cause cancer, SEXUAL DYSFUNCTION and heart disease.

Make sure that the plastic water bottle you are buying does NOT contain the harmful chemical BPA!

Locate the recycling number on the plastic bottle. You can usually find this number on the bottom of the bottle, in the middle of a small triangle. This number tells you the kind of plastic used to make the bottle.

If the bottle is made from No. 7 plastic, it probably contains BPA. To find out for certain, however, you will need to contact the manufacturer. No. 7 plastics are used to make 5-gallon WATER CONTAINERS, baby bottles, heavy-duty sports drink bottles, "sippy cups" and plastic utensils.

If the bottle is not made from No. 7 plastic, it does not contain BPA. Most soda, juice and milk containers are made from No. 1 or No. 2 plastics. Most plastic FOOD STORAGE containers are made with No. 5 plastic.

You can use this number guide to check all your PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

Do not use PLASTIC CONTAINERS or plastic wraps to microwave food. Heat increases leaching of chemicals from the plastic into the food.

Do not use cracked or broken PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

Saran Wrap, Ziploc bags, Glad storage bags and Glad plastic wrap do not contain BPA.

Plastic bottles are not the only source of BPA. Most cans are lined with a BPA coating. This includes items such as canned soda, canned tomatoes, canned soup, canned beans, canned chili and canned vegetables.


Instructions:
1.  Turn your bottles over onto a flat surface so the bottom is facing up. If at the store, look at the back of the packaging, or on the bottom of the bottle.

2.  Locate the triangle formed with arrows to indicate the recycling symbol.  This is the symbol you look for:

3.  Check for a number "7," "07" or "PC" inside the recycling symbol - this means the bottle contains BPA. Look for bottles without this symbol and codes, and opt for glass bottles, which do not contain BPA or other chemicals.

4.  Repeat steps 1-3 for other types of plastic bottles, from gallon jugs and water bottles to single-serve and reusable bottles.



Intuitively Yours,
Laurel  xoxo