prompter: How much safer is it to drink from glass or metal bottles than from plastic ones? According to what research?

assistant: There is some evidence to suggest that drinking from glass or metal bottles may be safer than drinking from plastic ones, especially when it comes to potential exposure to certain chemicals.

One of the main concerns with plastic bottles is the potential for chemicals to leach into the water or beverage. Bisphenol A (BPA) is one such chemical that has been linked to a range of negative health effects, including developmental problems in children, hormonal imbalances, and increased risk of certain cancers. While many plastic bottles are now marketed as "BPA-free," they may still contain other potentially harmful chemicals, such as phthalates.

Glass and metal bottles, on the other hand, are generally considered safer because they are less likely to leach chemicals into the water or beverage. Glass bottles are inert and do not react with their contents, while metal bottles are typically lined with coatings that prevent the metal from interacting with the liquid. However, it is important to note that glass and metal bottles can still be contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens if they are not cleaned properly.

It is worth noting that the research on this topic is still evolving and not entirely conclusive. However, some studies have suggested that glass and metal bottles may be safer than plastic ones. For example, a 2012 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives found that people who drank from polycarbonate plastic bottles had higher levels of BPA in their urine compared to those who drank from stainless steel or glass bottles. Another study published in the journal Water Research in 2013 found that certain types of plastic bottles released estrogen-like chemicals when exposed to sunlight, while glass bottles did not.

Overall, while more research is needed to fully understand the potential risks associated with drinking from different types of bottles, it may be wise to err on the side of caution and choose glass or metal bottles when possible.

assistant: Drinking from glass or metal bottles is generally considered safer than drinking from plastic bottles. This is because plastic bottles can contain harmful chemicals, such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach into the water or beverage and potentially cause health problems.

There is some scientific evidence to support this claim. For example, a study published in the journal Water Research found that plastic water bottles can release chemicals, including antimony and bisphenol A, into the water they contain. Another study published in the Journal of Environmental Science and Health found that the level of BPA in the urine of people who drank from polycarbonate plastic bottles was significantly higher than in people who drank from glass bottles.

While there is no completely risk-free way to drink water or other beverages, using glass or metal bottles can reduce your exposure to harmful chemicals. It's important to note, however, that there are other factors to consider when choosing a water bottle, such as the material's durability, weight, and portability.

assistant: According to John Swartzberg, a clinical professor at the University of California at Berkeley School of Public Health, "Glass would be the best [safety-wise] if it wouldn’t break". Because glass is made from natural materials, there is no danger of inorganic chemicals leaching into liquids when it’s heated or cooled. How much safer glass is than plastic is hard to say: although many reusable plastic bottles are advertised as free of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA), which was commonly used in plastics until studies linked it to hormonal disruptions in humans, Swartzberg notes  "Most plastic bottles today are not using BPA... the problem is they’ve replaced BPA with other things, so we don’t know about these other things that they’ve replaced them with."

Source: 
Plastic, metal or glass: What’s the best material for a reusable water bottle?
The Washington Post
By Helen Carefoot
September 25, 2019 at 7:00 a.m. EDT