It’s unsafe to use polycarbonate drinking bottles as it will release a harmful compound bisphenol A, which affects reproductive and neural systems. A relatively safe plastic is available but at a higher cost. Yet, consumers may still find difficult when finding a safe bottle.

Polycarbonates, commonly abbreviated as “PC”, are polymers generally used for cases, lens, discs, and bottles due to its toughness, clarity, and light weight.

However, starting 2005, more and more research has studied the release of bisphenol A (aka BPA) from polycarbonates on effects to reproductive system. It was later found that bisphenol A can be released even when cleaning polycarbonate bottles with aggressive cleaning agent.

And finally in 2008, a research from Health Canada disclosed that bisphenol A “can affect neural development and behaviour when experimental animals are exposed in very early life.” The report causes the immediate banning of usage of polycarbonates on any drinking bottles importing to Canada.

As a replacement, many manufacturers now adopt another engineering plastic - polycyclohexane dimethyl terephthalate modified by glycol (PCTG). It has excellent toughness and good heat resistance at ~120˚C. It is food safe as granted by FDA, and so will not emit BPA. PCTG is generally priced about 20% higher than PC.

The picture below shows four bottles, one blown with PC and the other three from PCTG. It’s a challenge for consumer to differentiate them when all bottles have the same look and feel. Just to solve the mystery of the picture, the blue bottle on far right is made with PC, and the rest from PCTG.