Plastic Safety

I dont know if this has been touched up on but it was brought to my attention in class. Today we discussed how unhealthy bottled water really is for us. For starters none of the water is government regulated, well besides that the plastic they use is a dangerous plastic in the sense that when temps get hot enough they release BPA which is a toxic chemicals. When this was said I immediately thought of my snakes because most of us keep our snakes in tubs directly over heat. Now how do we know if our tubs release this deadly toxin? Im currently using the Container Store tubs, which isn't as thick a plastic as Sterilite. But whos to say which ones are safe. If anyone can chime in and give me some info, I'd greatly appreciate it.

Sorry if this has been brought up before

Bisphenol A has been known to be leached from the plastic lining of canned foods[119] and, to a lesser degree,[citation needed] polycarbonate plastics, especially those that are cleaned with harsh detergents or used to contain acidic or high-temperature liquids. A recent Health Canada study found that the majority of canned soft drinks it tested had low, but measurable levels of bisphenol A.[120] This exposure through metal cans is due to the fact that BPA is an ingredient in the internal coating of food and beverage metal cans used to protect the food from direct contact with metal. While most human exposure is through diet, exposure can also occur through air and through skin absorption.[121]

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I did a little research for you, I suppose it could, it says it can be exposed through air an skin absorption. However, Many large breeders have been keeping snakes in rack systems for years with no ill effects.

It has been brought up before, but it caused such a stir that I believe the mod's put it quarantine. But bsash is right, breeders have used plastic for a long time and have never had a problem. A lot of people on here use plastic and swear by it.

When I worked for a company that makes plastic containers, we had this question come up a lot. The studies done in the lab showed that the plastic had to be heated to over 1000 degrees. Now, how much of that is true, I don't know, but I wouldn't worry about keeping your little buddies in plastic.

Thanks a lot guys, I'll just go with the flow then.

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Originally Posted by that_dc5

Thanks a lot guys, I'll just go with the flow then.

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No problem, that's what we are all here for! :D

The effects of BPAs are subtle. They have an effect on personality and mood, and on male physiology in humans, so most likely have similar effects on other species. However, it's really a lost cause to try to avoid exposing animals to BPAs, because they are everywhere in the environment at this point in time, and the effects last for 2 generations after exposure.

But the effects from just walking around are no where near as severe as sitting in a heated tub. Youre getting it straight from the source in larger quantity