KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

There's so many conflicting reports regarding safety of water bottles. Are grades 5 and 7 safe for regular use? These grades are indicated by a number within a triangle at the base.

Are rubbermaid bottles (approved by FDA) good enough? What about those plastic ones sold at popular bookstores/watsons? Or the branded ones like nike/adidas? Or should we spend more on SIGG bottles?

Any opinions/comments/advice, ksp?

Hi,

In the identification system used to mark plastic containers, I think numbers 1 through 6 are relatively informative, but 7 is the mystery number.

Grade 7 plastics are usually nylon, acrylic and polycarbonate. Polycarbonate contains bisphenol A (BPA) which is a possible health risks chemical.

Grade 5 plastics are generally regarded as safe. But a <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchd ... 2034.html/" target="_blank" title="BPA leaches from safe products">report</a> (http://www.jsonline.com/watchdog/watchd ... 32034.html) found that BPA leached into food from packaging labeled grade 1, 2 and 5 when the containers are heated or contained hot water.

For SIGG bottles, my personal experience is you might want to check the insides of the bottle after using it for some time.You need to shine a light in to check. I threw away mine after detecting rust inside. But one of my fren has used SIGG bottles for many years and so far no rust, but plenty of dent.

I have nothing against Sigg bottles, but thought a <a href="http://www.nalgenechoice.com/sorter.html/" target="_blank" title="Choices on Nalgene water bottles">Nalgene</a> water bottles which are BPA free would be a better choice if you wanted to use a plastic water bottles.

People who feel uneasy with plastic in general, I think can consider food-grade stainless steel for their water bottles...

Generally, most clear hard plastic in the market are graded 7 (polycarbonate) which contained BHA. grad 7 also include other type of plastics. Although some dun contain BHA. You need to see the bottom or check with the sales assistant, but I doubt they know. Some dun have number below bottle. Grade 1,2,4 and 5 are considered BHA free. not sure when heated.

Some bottles (metal and cans) have linings whch contain BHA. I only use metal or glass bottles for my kids. I stay away from plastic as much as possible, as no matter what grade, you never know. maybe one day, they discover that grade 1,2,4 and 5 contain even more harmful chemicals.

I tried SIGG bottle before, very durable, $ worth it, but I saw somewhere that they contain lining, made of what, I dunno.

Thanks smurf and greenq. Googled and found some negative reports on nalgene bottles as well. Not suppose to trust all that we read but just sourcing for a bottle has turned up so many confusing articles.

But asking kids to bring stainless steel/glass bottles to schools is also impractical. So, perhaps, I'll use a glass bottle (any recommendation, pls?) in the car. nalgene or rubbermaid bottles for kids and nike bottles for gym.

Then again, I wonder how soon do I need to replace them.

I think bringing glass or stainless steel bottle to school is not practical. don't want to add in more weight to school bag. Does polycarbonate bottle contain any harmful element?
It indicates "withstand high and low temp".

Hi mathsparks and amylqf,

no, my boy bring stainless steel bottle to sch. it's not really that heavy. I use Thermos brand, and they are just a little bit heavier than plastic bottle, no issue. I would rather he uses metal than plastic, because in the long run, you never know and I dun want to take the chance.

well, that's my theory, if you think weight of the bag is more important then you can just use a plastic bottle.

Polyarbonate is the one which contains the harmful BHA and the one which is most easily available in market.

Hi smurf,
Where to find thermos brand? The cap is plastic also?

I bought it online from a spree, cap is made of plastic, but not polycarbonate.

smurf wrote:Hi mathsparks and amylqf,

no, my boy bring stainless steel bottle to sch. it's not really that heavy. I use Thermos brand, and they are just a little bit heavier than plastic bottle, no issue. I would rather he uses metal than plastic, because in the long run, you never know and I dun want to take the chance.

well, that's my theory, if you think weight of the bag is more important then you can just use a plastic bottle.

Polyarbonate is the one which contains the harmful BHA and the one which is most easily available in market.

thanks for your feedback. how much you bought for the thermos?

Hi Amy,

thisis the website I bought from, can't remember how much with shipping...but if u can buy in bulk (maybe get colleagues or friends to share shipping), then it will be cheaper.

http://www.thermos.com/

The good thing is, if you want to put warm water, or cold water, the water will stay at the temperature you want for a prolong period of time.

I think itscheaper than SIGG. but sometimes SIGG does have sale. gotta go stores and see.