Chemists developed two sustainable plastic alternatives to polyethylene, derived from plants, that can be recycled with a recovery rate of more than 96%, as low-waste, environmentally friendly replacements to conventional fossil fuel-based plastics. (Nature, 17 Feb)

[u/mvea]

https://academictimes.com/new-plant-based-plastics-can-be-chemically-recycled-with-near-perfect-efficiency/

[u/Matthew0275]

This is a great question, since there's been evidence of the current plastic contamination activating all sorts of issues in the food chain. I remember an article about a type of river fish that's almost unanimously female now due to decomposing plastic releasing something that triggers a natural hormonal response in them.

[u/-GreyRaven- → u/Matthew0275]

BPA, or bisphenol A, is a xenoestrogen. Its probably that.

[u/batmessiah → u/[deleted]]

Who’s “they”? I’ve never once heard this.

[u/elephantphallus → u/batmessiah]

https://www.poison.org/articles/2010-mar/plastic-containers-are-they-harmful

Human exposure is primarily through eating food and drinking liquids that were in contact with BPA. BPA can leach from the plastic container or food can liner into foods and beverages. This seems to happen to a greater degree when the liquid is heated or the container is scratched and rough. BPA is absorbed readily when ingested, but the liver quickly metabolizes the chemical. It is excreted in the urine within 24 hours and does not accumulate in the body.

[u/DilbertedOttawa → u/batmessiah]

Harvard health published an article in 2019 about it. It's been around for a while.

[u/Articulationized → u/batmessiah]

Have you not seen “BPA-free” on all sorts of plastic products?

[u/gr8balooga → u/batmessiah]

From the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/BisphenolA_FactSheet.html

Human health effects from BPA at low environmental exposures are unknown. BPA has been shown to affect the reproductive systems of laboratory animals. More research is needed to understand the human health effects of exposure to BPA.

The idea with drinking from hot water bottles is that BPA leeches into the water more readily in a warm bottle afaik.

Mayoclinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331

Some research has shown that BPA can seep into food or beverages from containers that are made with BPA. Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure. Avoid heat. Don't put polycarbonate plastics in the microwave or dishwasher, because the heat may break them down over time and allow BPA to leach into foods.

NatGeo https://www.google.com/amp/s/api.nationalgeographic.com/distribution/public/amp/environment/article/exposed-to-extreme-heat-plastic-bottles-may-become-unsafe-over-time

Sorry it's a google amp

Most plastic items release a tiny amount of chemicals into the beverages or food they contain. As temperature and time increase, the chemical bonds in the plastic increasingly break down and chemicals are more likely to leach.

Harvard 2009 link to nih study in the article

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/bpa-chemical-plastics-leach-polycarbonate-drinking-bottles-humans/

Numerous studies have shown that it acts as an endocrine-disruptor in animals, including early onset of sexual maturation, altered development and tissue organization of the mammary gland and decreased sperm production in offspring. It may be most harmful in the stages of early development.

[u/[deleted] → u/batmessiah]

It’s been known since the 70’s, but it’s only recently started being widely investigated, but BPA mimics estrogen in the body and causes other issues.

First source I trust: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bpa-lingers-in-human-body/

Second seems legitimate, but I’m uncertain of its veracity: https://draxe.com/health/bpa-toxic-effects/

What’s really interesting to me is of you think about any health issue that’s come up that didn’t seem to exist 40 years ago and BPA is linked to all of them.

https://www.ewg.org/research/timeline-bpa-invention-phase-out

A history of how damn long it takes to get dangers made publicly known and to do something about it with regard to chemicals.

[u/NeoHenderson → u/batmessiah]

Have you ever seen a water bottle or reusable container advertised as BPA free?

That's the reason for those stickers