Environment Concerns of PET Bottles

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are commonly used for packaging beverages and other liquids. They are made from terephthalic acid, a major chemical precursor. Studies have shown that terephthalic acid increases the risk of breast cancer. In addition, PET bottles can leach harmful chemicals such as:

• Di-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) – Used as a plasticizer, suspected endocrine disruptor
• Bisphenol A (BPA) – Used to make plastics more clear and tough, acts as a faux-estrogen
• Antimony – A metalloid used as a catalyst in PET production
• Acetaldehyde – Classified as a carcinogen
• Other estrogenic compounds

These compounds can leach into the liquids stored in the bottles, especially when exposed to heat or UV light from the sun.

Health Effects

The chemicals released from PET bottles can have concerning health effects, especially in vulnerable populations:

• BPA – Interferes with reproductive hormones, associated with pre-term birth, low birth weight, congenital disabilities, pregnancy loss, impaired fertility
• Endocrine disruptors – Cause chromosomal abnormalities, birth defects, developmental disabilities
• BPA – Also linked to early onset of puberty in children and hyperactivity/aggressive behaviour in girls
• DEHA (di-(2-ethylhexyl) adipate) – Suspected to cause liver toxicity and cancer
• The accumulation of these chemicals, even at low doses, is particularly concerning during critical windows of development in foetuses’ and young children.

Environmental Effects

In addition to health concerns, PET bottles have negative environmental impacts:

• Resource intensive production – PET is made from petroleum and natural gas, non-renewable resources
• Greenhouse gas emissions – Releasing CO2 and other gases during manufacturing and transportation
• Plastic waste – Bottles end up in landfills and oceans, contributing to plastic pollution
• Microplastics – Bottles break down into tiny plastic particles that accumulate in the food chain

Considering their entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to waste, PET bottles are problematic from an environmental sustainability perspective.

Alternatives

Due to the rising concerns, there is a push to find alternatives to PET bottles:

• Glass – Reusable and contains no chemicals, but heavier to transport
• Aluminium – Also reusable and safe, but energy intensive to produce
• Plant-based plastics – Made from renewable materials like corn starch, but longevity issues
• Recycled PET – Uses less virgin materials, but efficiency improvements needed

There is also increased demand for better recycling, deposit return systems, and eliminating single-use plastics. More research is underway to develop novel biodegradable materials to replace PET.

Policy Action

Some governments have begun policy actions regarding PET bottles:

• Bans – India banned small PET water bottles in some regions
• Taxes – Some US cities have implemented special taxes on PET bottles
• Labelling laws – Requiring cancer warning labels on PET bottles (proposed in California)
• Bottle bills – Requiring a deposit to incentivize return and recycling

There are calls for more regulatory oversight and interventions to mitigate the health and environmental issues caused by PET packaging. The concerns over their safety and sustainability continue to mount.