PET bottles are harmless

Question: Which of the following statements is not true regarding PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)?
(a) PET is exclusively used only in bottles manufacturing.
(b) PET is responsible for almost all endocrine related disruptions.
(c) Terelyne a famous fiber (synthetic) is made of PET.
(d) Bisphenol –A (BPA) is below its detection limit (BDL) 0.02mg/kg.
Answer: (a)
Related facts:

  • CSIR- Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore has determined that PET bottles are safe, after a comprehensive evaluation.
  • For years there’s been a swirling debate internationally on whether PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) bottles, which are the mainstay of plastic bottles and disposable food containers, leach harmful chemicals when exposed to high temperatures.
  • The CFRTI analysis concluded that antimony, arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead, mercury, selenium, and zinc were below their detection limits (BDL) of 0.001mg/kg.
  • Bisphenol –A (BPA) is below its detection limit (BDL) 0.02mg/kg.
  • The researchers collected four different kinds of PET containers and exposed them to different stimuli such as ethanol of varying concentrations, acetic acid and vegetable oil.
  • These were supposed to stimulate the kind of chemicals contained in packaged food and drink that could trigger the leakage of metals or other secondary chemicals.
  • They tested these bottles when they were subject to 40C and 60C temperature as well as when test-chemicals were stored in them for 10 days.
  • Along with metals, the scientists also measured terephtalic acid, Isophthalic acid, Ethylene Glycol, BPA (bisphenol-A) and phthalates.
  • The presence of metals, BPA and phthalates were found below of their detection limit.
  • They were also below the European Union’s regulation norms of the specific migration limit, which is the maximum amount of a substance that can migrate from a food packaging material or food container into food.
  • This conclusively proved that PET bottles did not cause any endocrine disruption activity if used to package water.

Links:
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/are-pet-bottles-safe/article29163643.ece
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/no-harmful-chemicals-in-pet-bottles-finds-csir-study/article29036093.ece