A University of Cincinnati scientist has discovered the most dangerous release of Bisphenol A from polycarbonate plastic bottles comes from hot liquid contents in the containers. The study showed the chemical is released 55 times more rapidly when it comes in contact with boiling hot water. Scott Belcher, he scientist who made the discovery, was originally trying to assess if the release of Bisphenol A was dependent on how old or new a bottle was.

“Previous studies have shown that if you repeatedly scrub, dish-wash and boil polycarbonate baby bottles, they release BPA. That tells us that BPA can migrate from various polycarbonate plastics,” explains Belcher, UC associate professor of pharmacology and cell biophysics and corresponding study author. “But we wanted to know if ‘normal’ use caused increased release from something that we all use, and to identify what was the most important factor that impacts release. Inspired by questions from the climbing community, we went directly to tests based on how consumers use these plastic water bottles and showed that the only big difference in exposure levels revolved around liquid temperature: Bottles used for up to nine years released the same amount of BPA as new bottles.”

Though there has been no official ban on polycarbonate bottles, several retailers have voluntarily pulled them from shelves. Though studies concerning the effects of the chemical are ongoing, Belcher believes it will be discovered that it has the same negative impact on humans as it has on animals that have been tested.

“There is a large body of scientific evidence demonstrating the harmful effects of very small amounts of BPA in laboratory and animal studies, but little clinical evidence related to humans,” explains Belcher. “There is a very strong suspicion in the scientific community, however, that this chemical has harmful effects on humans.”

If you're still carrying around a bottle made from polycarbonate plastic (for example, a Nalgene bottle), consider one of these options from SIGG or Kleen Kanteen instead.

» University of Cincinnati