The Safest Type of Water Bottle to Drink From

The Safest Type of Water Bottle to Drink From Many people refill single-use plastic bottles (Plastic #1, PET) as a cheap way to carry water. That bottle was bought with water in it in the first place – what can go wrong? While a single refill in a freshly drained bottle probably will not cause any problem, there can be some issues when it is done repeatedly. First, these bottles are difficult to wash and are thus likely to carry the bacteria that have started colonizing it the minute you first unsealed it. In addition, the plastic used in the manufacturing of these bottles is not made for long term use. To make the plastic flexible, phthalates might be used in the manufacturing of the bottle. Phthalates are endocrine disruptors, a major environmental concern, and which can mimic the actions of hormones in our body. Those chemicals are relatively stable at room temperature (as well as when the plastic bottle is frozen), but they can be released into the bottle when the plastic is warmed. The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) states that any chemical released from the bottle has been measured at a concentration below any established risk threshold. Until we know more, it’s probably best to limit our use of single-use plastic bottles and to avoid using them after they have been microwaved or washed at high temperatures.   Plastic (#7, polycarbonate) The rigid, reusable plastic bottles often seen clipped to a backpack are labeled as plastic #7, which usually means there are made of polycarbonate. However, other plastics can get that recycling number designation. Polycarbonates have been under scrutiny lately because of the presence of bisphenol-A (BPA) that can leach into the bottle’s content. Numerous studies have linked BPA with reproductive health problems in test animals, and in humans too. The FDA states that so far they have found the levels of BPA leached from polycarbonate bottles to be too low to be a concern, but they do recommend limiting children’s exposure to BPA by not heating up polycarbonate bottles, or by selecting alternate bottle options. Plastics containing BPA are no longer used in the United States for the manufacturing of children’s sippy cups, baby bottles, and baby formula packaging. BPA-free polycarbonate bottles were advertised to capitalize on the public fears of BPA and fill the resulting market gap. A common replacement, bisphenol-S (BPS), was thought to be much less likely to leach out of the plastics, yet it can be found in the urine of most Americans tested for it. Even at very low doses, it has been found to disrupt hormone, neurological, and heart function in test animals. BPA-free does not necessarily mean safe. Stainless Steel Food grade stainless steel is a material that can safely be in contact with drinking water. Steel bottles also have the advantages of being shatter resistant, long-lived, and tolerant of high temperatures. When choosing a steel water bottle, make sure the steel is not found solely on the outside of the bottle, with a plastic liner inside. These cheaper bottles present similar health uncertainties as polycarbonate bottles.   Aluminum Aluminum water bottles are resistant and lighter than steel bottles. Because aluminum can leach into liquids, a liner has to be applied inside the bottle. In some cases that liner can be a resin that has been shown to contain BPA. SIGG, the dominant aluminum water bottle manufacturer, now uses BPA-free and phthalate free resins to line its bottles, but it declines to reveal the composition of those resins. As with steel, aluminum can be recycled but is energetically very costly to produce. Glass Glass bottles are easy to find cheaply: a simple store-bought juice or tea bottle can be washed and repurposed for water-carrying duty. Canning jars are just as easy to find. Glass is stable at a wide range of temperatures, and will not leak chemicals into your water. Glass is easily recyclable. The main drawback of glass is, of course, that it can shatter when dropped. For that reason, glass is not allowed at many beaches, public pools, parks, and campgrounds. However, some manufacturers produce glass bottles wrapped in a shatter-resistant coating. If the glass inside breaks, the shards remain inside the coating. An additional drawback of glass is its weight – gram-conscious backpackers will prefer lighter options. Conclusion At this moment, food-grade stainless steel and glass water bottles are associated with fewer uncertainties. Personally, I find the simplicity and lower economic and environmental costs of glass appealing. Most of the time, however, I find drinking tap water from an old ceramic mug perfectly satisfying. Sources Cooper et al. 2011. Assessment of Bisphenol A Released from Reusable Plastic, Aluminium and Stainless Steel Water Bottles. Chemosphere, vol. 85. Natural Resources Defense Council. Plastic Water Bottles. Scientific American.  BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just as Hazardous.

Tips on job hunting with a disability

Tips on job hunting with a disability Having a disability can be a challenge, but it shouldn’t prevent you from achieving your career goals. In additional to laws designed to protect individuals with disabilities from discrimination in the workplace, there are a variety of strategies that you can employ to your advantage when job hunting or while on the job- and knowing your rights is a powerful tool. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)  is a key set of federal laws; its purpose is to prevent discrimination against people who have a disability and to guarantee equal employment opportunities for individuals with a disability. This includes issues involving hiring, firing, promotions, pay, and benefits. In addition, if you require certain accommodations in order to effectively perform the responsibilities of your job, your employer may be legally required to provide these accommodations without any undue burden to you. These protections span all industries across the public and private sector, including priv ate business, employment agencies, educational institutions, local and state government entities, and labor organizations.If you’d like to learn more about your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, we recommend that you visit the official website at ADA.gov. If you feel as if you’ve been unfairly discriminated against, there’s also a wealth of information available here for how to protect your rights and file a charge, if needed.Job hunting can be challenging in even the best of circumstances- in addition to the constant stress and anxiety of countless interviews and emails, there’s the endless waiting for responses and cycle of excitement and disappointment that inevitably follows. If you have a disability, it could add extra hurdles to an already challenging situation. Use the following tips to help you successfully navigate your job hunt and ensure that nothing stands in the way between you and your next great job opportunity.Only share wh at makes you comfortable.There’s no reason for you to feel pressure to fully disclose your disability unless you feel like doing so, or if there’s an issue that needs to be addressed (like if you need to climb stairs to get to your interview but can’t, for example). Remember, your rights are protected under the ADA, and just like anyone else you’re under no obligation to disclose your complete medical history during an interview; furthermore, it shouldn’t be used as a factor to make a hiring decision.That said, some people freely choose to bring up their situation on interviews and assert the notion that their disability will in no way prevent them from performing the tasks associated with the job. How you handle this is totally your call.Focus on what you can do.Whenever you’re trying to convince a hiring manager or HR professional that you’d be a valuable addition to their team, you want to make sure that you make it clear what you offer as a prospective employee- including your skill set, experience, and prior accomplishments. Although you might have a disability, the focus of any job interview you go on should be what you can do, even if it requires you to overcome an obstacle or utilize some additional accommodation.Your goal here is the same as any prospective job applicant- to convince the interviewer that you can figure out an effective way to handle every responsibility of the job. Remember, those with a confident, â€Å"can do† attitude in the face of any and all challenges are much more likely to get hired than those who go out of their way to demonstrate that they’re not up to the tasks required of the position.Demonstrate your value.You may feel additional pressure to show that you’re more than up to handling the tasks associated with the job you’re going after, despite your disability. If this is the case, you can alleviate your anxiety by making sure that every aspect o f your job hunting game is razor sharp. Start with a cover letter and resume that really sell yourself and get readers intrigued to learn more about you. Then follow up with a stellar interview approach- from what you wear, to your body language (project confidence!) and how capably you field the questions posed to you. The key is to sell yourself as the best possible candidate for the position, regardless of any disability you may possess. Bottom line: try your best to make yourself the obvious choice for the position because of all the great things you bring to the table, disability or not.Know your rights.Although we’ve briefly covered your rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are a host of available websites to help you fully understand your rights, both as an employee and as a prospective one while you’re on the job hunt. The following are a few helpful resources:United States Department of LaborJob Accommodation NetworkADA NetworkS. Equal Emplo yment Opportunity CommissionEnable AmericaEvery person has the right to be a productive member of the work world and achieve career fulfillment and success. If you’re an individual with a disability or know someone with a disability, consider using the tips presented here to get informed and empowered regarding workplace rights.