Effects of water bottles on health and environment

 

            Water bottles are containers made of glass, plastic or metal that is used to hold water or beverages to drink. Water bottle makes it possible for an individual to drink and carry a beverage from one place to another. These bottles pose a health risk to individuals who drink from them and also to the environment. Plastic water bottles are made of chemical that are risky to the human health and environment. Those made from aluminum metal may also pose a risk to the health of those consuming from them and to the environment during the making of these bottles. Plastics does not decay thus when dumped they produce harmful gases that affect the environment. Glass bottles may break and cause an injury if they are not properly disposed. Water bottles of any material are a danger to humans and the environment, therefore their production and use of should be minimized.

            Bisphenol a chemical that is used in the manufacture of polycarbonate water bottles has been known to cause long standing effects to health of those who consume it. Research has shown that it affects the reproductive hormones and prostate glands. Bottled water that is readily bought can also cause water borne diseases.  In 1994, there was an outbreak of cholera in Saipan which is a US territory in the Marianas islands, this outbreak was associated with bottled water. Another similar case is what happened in Portugal where 36 people who had drank bottled water from a spa fell ill. These cases are proof that bottled water is not safe for consumption at all times (Edlin, & Golanty, 2010). 

            Stainless steel water bottles are commonly made from aluminum. These bottles can leach iron and nickel into alkaline and acidic beverages. The process of manufacturing these bottles involves the processing of chromium and nickel leading to a great environmental pollution since the extraction of these metals from their ore requires energy intensive heating that release toxic materials into the soil, air and water. Stainless steel water bottle can also impart a metallic taste to liquids stored in them. These bottles are also hard to clean therefore bacteria causing diseases’ can build up in them. These bottles can bend in shape or start having rough edges and when they are not properly disposed they may cause an injury. These bottles might have aluminum fillings which when consumed they make one sick. (Miller, & Spoolman, 2012). Production of these stainless bottles pose a risk to humans and the ecosystem. Glass water bottles are preferred because they have no chemicals seeping out of them but they are fragile and break easily when these pieces are mishandled they can cause an injury which is threat to human health

            Plastic water bottles are made of a non-biodegradable polymer. When large amounts of plastic water bottles are disposed they accumulate in oceans and on land. When burnt they release toxic fumes into the atmosphere which later causes major health impacts to living things, affect air and water. These toxic fumes are known to cause health problems such as asthma and cancer. The plastic bottles that enter the sea are consumed by animals such as seas turtles which choke them leading to their death ((Starr, Evers, & Starr, 2011). These plastic bottles pollute the seas and oceans making them an unsafe habitat for animals living in them.

            Burning of plastic water bottles weakens the ozone layer. There has been concern that the chlorine contained in the fumes might completely destroy the ozone layer, thus letting the ultraviolet rays reach the earth surface and this would result to increased cancer rates and crop deficiency. Residues that result from the burning of this bottles stick on surfaces of leaves and enter the food chain. These toxins entering the food chain will be consumed by humans consuming those foods. These residues also pollute the soil and ground water responsible for growing crops and food for both humans and animals. Some of these toxic chemicals are inhaled by animals and accumulate in fats and when people eat meat from these animals they consume these toxins (Starr, Evers, & Starr, 2011).

Conclusion

            Production and use of water bottles has led to a rise of many health risk and environmental degradation. Chemicals contained in them have endangered the lives of human beings and disposing them is a great challenge since most attempts lead to pollution of the environment. Continuous burning of plastic water bottles is leading to the destruction of the ozone layer. Plastic water bottles accumulating in water bodies are leading to loss of marine life. Production of stainless steel has led to degradation of the environment due to extraction of minerals needed. The toxins produced from burning plastic water bottles are entering the food chain and posing a risk to human health. Glass water bottles wrongly disposed is a challenge since they can cause injuries. It is advisable to minimize the use of all types of water bottle since each type of bottle poses a great risk to the health of humans the environment.

 

 

References

Edlin, G., & Golanty, E. (2010). Health & wellness. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett     Publishers.

Miller, G. T., & Spoolman, S. (2012). Living in the environment. Pacific Grove, Calif.?:   Brooks/Cole Cengage Learning.

Starr, C., Evers, C. A., & Starr, L. (2011). Biology: Concepts and applications. Australia:             Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.