How to Identify Bottles With BPA
The chemical polymer Bisphenol A, commonly referred to as BPA, has been used for years in baby bottles, sippy cups, sports bottles and other plastics. Because of its connection to reproductive abnormalities and premature rates of puberty, many manufacturers have begun creating BPA-free products--particularly for baby bottles and other beverage containers. But while looking for the BPA-free symbol is the easiest way to determine whether a bottle contains Bisphenol A, it is not the only way to identify the presence of the chemical.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Look at the plastic recycling symbol on the bottle. Look for a number between 1 and 7 that is located within a triangular set of arrows.
-
2
Avoid plastics that are marked with the recycling number 7, as they are most likely to contain BPA. These plastics are generally clear, hard plastic, though they may be tinted a different color.
-
-
3
Contact the bottle manufacturer and ask if their bottles contain BPA. Information regarding the bottle's manufacturer will be located on the product's label or packaging.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
To limit your family's exposure to BPA, do not use plastic drinking cups, utensils or dinnerware.
If you do use bottles that contain BPA, only use them to hold cold beverages. Bisphenol A is most likely to leach from plastics when they are heated.
References
- Photo Credit baby on the bottle image by marilyn barbone from Fotolia.com
