In an article published on August 23, 2018, the Norwegian Consumer Council, a government agency and consumer protection organization of Norway, informed about the results of a recent test it has conducted with drinking bottles, some of them intended for children. The testing campaign measured different chemicals of concern (COCs, e.g., phthalates, bisphenols, brominated flame retardants, metals, chlorinated paraffins) in the contents of eleven reusable plastic water bottles purchased in various Norwegian shops.
COCs were found to leach from all of the tested bottles, however, “at very small amounts.” In the analysis, the Norwegian Consumer Council applied a limit below 0.2 µg/L of organic substances for its recommendation of bottles with a positive performance. The measured concentrations of COCs were “well below current limit values,” and “[t]herefore none of the bottles examined causes a health hazard taken in isolation,” the Council noted. Yet, “taken together with all other products we surround us with, they can contribute towards a total exposure to chemicals that can be worrisome,” the Council explained.
“The hazardous nature of these substances [measured in the test] is the reason why their use is strongly regulated,” the Norwegian Consumer Council pointed out. Its analysis showed that “it is possible to make plastic bottles without almost any problematic substances” and therefore “manufacturers have significant potential to improve their record,” the Council concluded.
Read more
Norwegian Consumer Council (August 23, 2018). “Drinking bottles leach chemicals.”
Vanessa Zainzinger (September 17, 2018). “Norway finds plastic bottles leach small amounts of hazardous chemicals.” Chemical Watch
Reference
Rostkowski, P., et al. (August 21, 2018). “Analyses of selected organic contaminants and metals in drinking bottles – Technical report.” Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU report 22/2018. (pdf)
