Unsafe plastic bottles pose health risks - Health Ministry

by Carol Aloysius

The public has been advised to check all plastic bottles containing water and soft drinks and refrain from re-filling those that don't meet the international code of safety, as it leads to long term health risks.

Head of the Department of Toxicology and National Poisons Information Centre, National Hospital, Dr. Waruna Gunathilake told the Sunday Observer that plastic contains hidden risks e.g. a chemical 'pthalate' which could lead to kidney ailments and possibly carcinoma. "Plastic feeding bottles should always be Bisphenol A (BPA) free. BPA causes endocrine disruption and leads to abnormal prostrate development, reduces sperm production in males and causes the early onset of puberty. It can also lead to carcinoma", he said.

He said his Department was currently carrying out a public awareness program on how to identify poor quality plastic bottles which should not be re-filled.

"All plastic bottles are graded according to safety rules. Avoid refilling bottles that bear the code No. 1 - No. 5. Buy bottles that are over the No 5 mark as they fall into the safer categories.

Plastic bottles used by schoolchildren to carry water must have the sticker PPA engraved on the bottle. Don't buy plastic bottles that have scratches or indentations as they increase the risk of the chemicals in the bottle leaching out into the water, when refilled. Don't buy water bottles directly exposed to the sun.

They run the risk of leaching chemicals into the water," he said. The public should switch to glass or steel bottles as they were comparatively much safer, he said.