Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

Certain Plastic Water Bottles Could Be Toxic

Those hard plastic water bottles many of us use may be toxic. And one San Diego grocery store is looking at ways to replace the products on its shelves that use that type of plastic. KPBS reporter Ed

Those hard plastic water bottles many of us use may be toxic. And one San Diego grocery store is looking at ways to replace the products on its shelves that use that type of plastic. KPBS reporter Ed Joyce has the story.

Recent studies show that bottles and food containers made of polycarbonate plastic contain a chemical linked to cancer called Bisphenol-A.

Canada's largest outdoor goods chain has removed polycarbonate water bottles and food containers from its shelves. Now a San Diego grocery store is looking for alternatives.

Advertisement

Nancy Casady is the general manager of the Ocean Beach People's Co-op .

Casady : Now some things like your tub of yogurt or the butter containers or something -- it's very hard to find substitutes. But in water bottles it's very easy.

Many plastic baby bottles and the linings of some food cans also contain bisphenol-A. Some researchers say the chemical causes several types of cancer if it leaches from the plastic into liquids or food.

Nalgene, which makes a popular polycarbonate water bottle, says other studies show there's no danger posed to humans from the product.

Ed Joyce, KPBS News.