Plastics buzz and PEX

Unknown

that's a different plastic controversy. this is the new one:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A#Early_studies_of_bisphenol_A.27s_hormonal_activity

"A consensus statement by 38 BPA experts concluded that average levels in people are above those that cause harm to animals in laboratory experiments,[15] and a panel sponsored by the U.S. National Institutes of Health determined that there was 'some concern' about BPA's effect on fetal and infant brain and behavior.[6] A 2008 draft report by the U.S. National Toxicology Program (NPT) agreed with the panel, concluding that "there is some concern for neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposures," and that there is "some concern for bisphenol A exposure in these populations based on effects in the prostate gland, mammary gland, and an earlier age for puberty in females." The NPT also concluded that there is negligible concern that "exposure of pregnant women to bisphenol A will result in fetal or neonatal mortality, birth defects or reduced birth weight and growth in their offspring" or that it causes adverse effects in exposed adults.[16]"

Josh M.

Suddenly Nalgene bottles are no longer safe for drinking water from and Tupperware is no longer safe either.

I was wondering if anyone has heard any of this hype targeting the use of PEX in potable systems.

Ron Huber_2

Good Question

I have not heard anything, but lets keep this to the front of the pack and see if someone has any input

singh

no

but, i have heard that copper metal exposure may lead to Alzeimer's disease.
i'd prefer PEX to copper

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Wayco Wayne_2

I knew a person

who had a copper sensitivity that would give her seizures. Her unfortunate story is she had her house flooded because of polybutalyne fitting failure while she was on vacation. She moved out while the house was restored and all her water lines changed to copper. When she moved back in she started having seizures that eventually was found to be because of the copper lines. She started drinking bottled water and the problem went away. What is the supposed problems with the plastic??? W

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gerry gill

life

is the primary cause of death..

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Cosmo_3

well put

Cosmo

Andrew Hagen_2

Plastic

Typical bright colored Nalgene bottles are marked "7", which is polycarbonate. It seems to be somewhat disputed, but from what I have read, washing this plastic in harsh detergents can cause it to leach chemicals that act similar to estrogens in the body. Needless to say, after I read this I bought polyethylene Nalgene bottles marked "2". Everything I have read says that polyethylene is the safest plastic for storing food.

There is a good chance that the municipal water supply has traveled through miles of PVC before reaching the home anyway. PVC can act similar to polycarbonate. One mitigating factor is that lower temperatures lower the risk. Running a Nalgene bottle through a dishwasher is not recommended.

I am no chemist, but as far as I know plastics marked 1, 2, 3 (polyethylene), or 4 (polypropylene) are considered safe, so PEx should be fine. There are companies that sell stainless steel bottles to avoid the problem altogether.

Cosmo_3

Hey Singh

Can you give me a reference on the copper/Alzheimer's. I would be interested in finding out more

Cosmo

paule

One of the founders of Greenpeace comments on the nonsense surrounding the plastic controversy

Jim Bennett

Tony,

very interesting and informative article!

Thanks

singh

Cosmo

just Goggle it there are several sites, here's one:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/3140829.stm


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Doug_7

Plastic Identification Codes

Thanks Andrew - just to further explain the codes on plastic articles:

These code numbers are actually recycling codes to help recyclers sort scrap plastic into homogenous grades for recycling. See attached.

Codes 1 through 6 are codes for specific single grades of plastic that can be recycled. The code 7 is for "All Other Plastics or Mixed Plastics". Plastics with code 7 cannot be recycled. So Code 7 is not just for polycarbonate. If the code says 7 PC it is Polycarbonate, but if the code just says 7 it could be any mixed plastics.

For example, a Polyethylene orange juice jug is labeled 7 because while it is mostly polyethylene it also contains a barrier resin such as nylon to extend shelf life. This makes it difficult to recycle so it is classed as a 7 rather than a 2.

The concern with polycarbonate is that it may leach Bisphenol A into the water. Bisphenol A is a raw material used in the manufacture of polycarbonate. This is all quite controversial.

PVC has been a Greenpeace target for decades, but it is safe for domestic drinking water. PVC does not contain Bisphenol A so that is not the same issue. Greenpeace attacks PVC because it contains the chlorine molecule. So does table salt. The Greenpeace Anti-PVC compaign is not based on science as per article posted by Tony - Thanks Tony.

Also Nalgene is a company trade name that is NOT specific to Polycarbonate. Nalgene (a New York company) has made polyethylene bottles for almost 60 years.

So do not panic if a bottle says Nalgene or has the number 7 recycling symbol on it.

On the original question, no one is questioning the safety of PEX or polyethylene for drinking water or food contact. These are very safe plastics. I would worry a lot more about using copper.

Doug

Unknown

well I've been poking around and found some references to MTBE being present in PEX-A products in unhealthy concentrations, from back in the 90's.

I have not seen anything that explained what happened with those concerns.

Does anyone know what put those concerns to bed? Or, swept them under the rug?

Doug_7

Check with manufacturer

There was a case of ground water contaminated by carbon tetrachloride and MTBE that was detected in shallow water wells and appeared to be coming from the Perryton Equity Exchange (PEX), a grain storage facility in Texas. Is that the case you are thinking of ?

I have seen lots of studies that give PEX polyethylene tubing a clean bill of health in potable water service. Do you have some studies that say otherwise ?

If in doubt, check with manufacturer.