Thursday, April 17, 2008

Whatta-ya think?

I want to post a question to all you Inter-netty people out there.


If you have been reading for awhile you will now that I am a big water drinker. I posted about it here.

Perhaps you have heard, or have been keeping up with, news regarding the making of baby bottles with BPA (Bisphenol A). If not here is an article that gives the general concern with out too much science speak.

However, this quote is my main concern:

Shelby says while they largely agreed with the expert panel, which was convened by the Center for the Evaluation of Risk to Human Reproduction, they broadened the areas they felt could be of "some" concern, including effects on the mammary gland, prostate gland, and acceleration of puberty in females.

Both groups agreed that there already was some concern that exposure to the chemical could cause neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children

When this finding hit the news a few weeks ago I wasn't very concerned. Mostly, because I my bottle days are over.

But the truth is, there not. I drink from a water "bottle" everyday.

This isn't just a concern for our babies, but for our children, and for people like me who drink 98% of my liquid from a Recycle #7 bottle (these are the plastics made from PBA.) 

The Mister and I were talking last night and then we decided to look at our water dispenser bottles. 

Yup, #7's. 

In a moment of drama I asked him,  "Should we switch to glass? Should we throw away all PBA plastics? Should i not allow the kids to drink from water bottles? What about Nalgene, should I go replace everything with those? Why does it feels like nearly everything we eat or drink or touch or experience has always got some element of danger to it? From Puffed Wheat to Water Bottles, is it all poison?"

This is when he sighed, and looked at me lovingly, and calmly said,

"Yup, you can't leave this earth alive."

Oh the voice of reason...

So I will you ask you. Will you let your kids drink from Recycle #7's? Would you switch to glass?

Inquiring water drinkers want to know...



12 comments:

Blue Skies said...

I am trying to cut down on the amount of plastic we drink from. Both for concern for (what could be) a health issue and also to cut down on the amount of waste we produce. The girls drink from metal bottles now and I often have my Tervis Tumbler Giant sized water cup with me. Yep, something is going to kill me but I figure this particular issue is one where I can minimize the risk. We are also working on getting rid of as much of that HFCS (high fructose corn syrup) as we can out of our diet. At least on a regular basis ;-)

mer@lifeat7000feet said...

It's all so scary isn't it??

My kids all have Nalgene bottles that they take to school every day and drink from in the summer (my husband used to work at REI and used his sweet discount!). But according to some sources, even Nalgene plastic is questionable.

At mealtimes we drink from glass. Glass seems to be the safest, but I can't imagine my kids carrying glass bottles around all day long.

I seriously can get so freaked out about things like this. I try not to think about it for too long.

meh said...

I personally feel vindicated. My choice to drink as little water as a person possibly can has at last been proven to be of value. I may have dry skin. I may have hunger pains that are really thirst issues. My pee may be the color of tang, but I am so not drinking water out of plastic. Now Dr. Pepper, that is another issue.

Anonymous said...

Certainly there are lots of reports about "dangerous" items. Have you heard about what's in most shampoos and the link to cancer? I do think that many of our diseases and illness are linked to the amount of processed foods and chemicals that we ingest - often for the sake of convenience. I also believe that many of these things do wreak havoc on our environment. We are called to be good stewards of the earth and our bodies (and everything else with which God has blessed us.)

But I don't think you should let yourself be overwhelmed and try to change your entire life at one time. Make small, logical changes that also work for your family. Take it one step at a time. Maybe start with getting everyone metal bottles. Or stop buying the plastic, disposable bottles from the store. Or . . . Bite-sized changes will add up.

Just my two cents.

Unknown said...

meh,
you crack me up girl! The only problem I have is that I almost shot my coffee through my nose!

Spaghetti,

I am in total agreement with you.

We had switched from buying disposable water bottles a couple years ago and switched to Nalgene (which I thought wasn't part of this deal) and other reusable clear plastic bottles (mostly to cut down on trash), and now it turns out that these bottles may lend to health problems.

So I guess my issue is that I can do all that "right" things, but there is so much out of my control! :)

Anonymous said...

Several years ago 2 researchers in Colorado inplanted pennies in the backs of rats. Over a period of time these rats grew cancer lesions in the surgical site. Therefore they proved "money causes cancer"! Go figure!!

Anonymous said...

Hey Kellie. Thought I would delurk. Love your blog.

It looks like something or another is going to get us all in the end! I try not to worry so much about any of it. Otherwise, I'd be ready for the loony bin!

Lara said...

I'm with MEH I'm going to buy a cow and keep it in my .115 acre backyard and anytime my kids want a drink they are going to have to go milk it...or maybe a fainting goat...they'll be easier to catch...I myself however am sticking to real coke...hasn't it been proven to eat away any tumors in your body?

jen said...

I'm debating moving to metal bottles for the summer - when the kids have a water bottle almost every day, but they are SO expensive...and can you imagine how that's going to feel when one inevitably hits another with said bottle - oy!

We've also switched to glass for a lot of food storage and re-heating.

But there's always the reality that in a couple years they could come out with a new study about all of the harm drinking out of metal and glass does! Do what you can; forget the rest!

The Buntens said...

I am thinking of switching to those Camelbak water bottles that are BPA free. They are not too expensive. I linked up to them in a post last week.
But not until I have the time and money to get to REI and pick them up. I have heard stainless steel is a great option too - more $$$, though. I'm just not planning on running out tomorrow and changing all my water bottles. In time, I will. I think small steps is good advice.


In the end, we do the best we can with the information we have at the time. We can't worry about all this stuff too much. It will be this today and something else tomorrow.

I just heard about this chemical in sunscreens being bad too. So, what is worse, skin cancer or whatever this chemical causes?

Holy, cow - we could worry all day long.

Becky said...

I am with the mister somethin's gonna getcha...

Lindsay said...

Nalgene is changing the way they make their bottles.. but currently they do have BPA in them.. Or at least that is what I have read :-P