Facts About BPA-Free Aluminum Water Bottles

Aluminum water bottles are more durable.

Drinking bottled water has become second nature to many Americans in spite of the federal regulations that mandate water-supply cleanliness standards in the U.S. But drinking water from plastic containers not only can increase human health risks because of a harmful chemical known as BPA, it also can adversely impact the environment. But using BPA-free aluminum water bottles can reduce health and environmental costs, making the choice a win-win for the consumer and environment.

Defined

BPA-free aluminum water bottles are aluminum water bottles that do not contain any harmful BPA chemicals, including in their liners. BPA, also known as Bisphenol A, is a synthetic hormone that mimics estrogen found in the human body and might cause cancer, according to TheGoodHuman.com.

Misconceptions

Not every manufacturer of aluminum water bottles can boast that its BPA-free bottles are totally BPA-free. In 2009, SIGG, one of the leading aluminum water bottle makers, was marketing its bottle under the guise of being BPA-free, but the liner in the bottle still contained some traces of the harmful BPA chemical, according to the Consumerist.com.

Benefits

People who chose to use BPA-free aluminum water bottles instead of plastic (for health concerns) also positively affect the environment. According to NationalGeographic.com, Americans discard 50 billion plastic water bottles annually, making them a significant environmental concern. But aluminum bottles are nondegradable and can be used over and over again.

Cost

A BPA-free aluminum water bottle is a one-time purchase, whereas bottled water costs are recurring. Americans spend $100 billion annually on bottled water, according to NationalGeographic.com. Add to that fact that tap water in the U.S. is so regulated that its safety for consumption matches that of the bottled version, and the average person could potentially save a lot of money by buying an aluminum water bottle instead of individual plastic bottles of water.

Warning

Aluminum's potential effects on humans has not been researched enough to make any safety claims in that regard. Therefore, although aluminum bottles appear to be a safer alternative to plastic bottles containing BPA, their absolute safety is not guaranteed. In fact, according to Dr. Cyrus Cooper of the Mayo Clinic, "There is increasing evidence to implicate aluminum in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease."

References

• The Good Human: How to Choose a Safe Reusable Water Bottle
• The Consumerist: SIGG Will Replace BPA-Containing Bottles for Free
• National Geographic: Why Tap Water Is Better Than Bottled Water
• The Good Human: What Is Bisphenol A and Why You Should Avoid It
• Calcified Tissue International Journal: Letter to the Editor--Relationship Among Aluminum, Osteoporosis and Alzheimer's Disease