Ban Plastic Water Bottles - Your World, Your Life!

"If there is any magic on this planet, it is contained in the water." -Loran Eisley, The Immense Journey (1957)

However, if that water is contained in plastic, there is no magic one can have of it.

Most of us are aware of the hazards of unsafe drinking water and therefore, we make it a point to consume only home-purified water or bottled water while travelling. But we do not realize that both off-the-counter bottled water and home-purified water are usually stored in plastic bottles when, water contained in plastic is detrimental to human health.

The current statistics in India suggest that the current bottled water market is the size of more than Rs. 1250 Crore ($312 Million USD) and it is growing at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25%, the highest in the world. This demand for bottled water is driven by the poor quality of tap water and shortage of water in most regions. It is important to recognize that all brands of bottled water are stored in different types of plastics which are not safe for storage of water.

PETE (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles are very commonly used for making plastic water bottles however if reused, they can release harmful chemicals into the contained water. Another common type of plastic water bottles, made from PVC, has bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical which mimics the hormone estrogens, can leach from polycarbonate bottles. Apparently, BPA can do nasty things to the reproductive process of rats ranging from low sperm counts to changes in tissue that resembles early-stage breast cancer. There is a concern that similar things can happen in humans especially, if these plastic bottles are stored in hot and humid climate such as, India. According to Grist Magazine, dioxins are released into the environment during manufacture, use and disposal of plastics bottles. The dioxins, which settle into our fatty tissues, are not only carcinogen but also disrupt hormonal systems that might affect reproductive and immune systems of our bodies.

Another consideration that is often overlooked is that plastic bottles are bio hazards even if they are recyclable. According to Pacific Institute, USA, bottling process uses two litres of water for every one litre bottle. In fact making anything from plastic is environmentally damaging. Plastic come from fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas; the environmental damage done in the exploration, extraction and export of fossil fuels is beyond belief.

In this age where we all live a speedy life, the probabilities of considering our every day choices becomes less; whether it is about the things we buy or more profoundly about the air we inhale or water we drink. Almost 1600 Indians die every day because of water-borne diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to drink pure and healthy water - but, NOT stored in plastic containers. It is recommended that we install home - water purification system and encourage the use of paper coated or glass bottles to store that water at home and also carry it along while travelling. This practice will not only be good for our health but also be in favour of our environment's health.

ISSUED IN PUBLIC INTEREST BY...