A new German study suggests water bottles containing PET or polyethylene terephthalate plastic may be dangerous for humans as these plastics leach compounds that mimic oestrogen (a female sex hormone). Previous studies claimed that BPA (bisphenol-a) plastics were a threat to humans and animals as BPA severely hampered the cognitive processes. As a result, PET plastic bottles became a convenient alternate option and were thought to be totally safe. However, the recent evidence revealed that PET might not be as safe. In a study carried out by scientists at Goethe University, Frankfurt, it was found that estrogenic compounds leaked from PET plastic into the water. Lead researcher of the study Martin Wagner said unidentified chemicals in PET plastics could interfere with oestrogen and other reproductive hormonesdefine, just as BPA and phthalates did.
