Five Reasons Glass Bottles Protect Sensitive Liquids
Nowadays, the safety of plastic containers for holding food and liquid is a fleeting concern that’s easily pushed aside by reminding oneself that “everyone else uses them”. The choice between glass and plastic is rarely a question anymore — do you want heavy and fragile at a higher cost, or light and durable for a pretty penny? But when you look closer, the differences between plastic and glass aren’t so crystal-clear. In fact, there are five good reasons keep sensitive liquids, such as baby formula, in glass bottles instead.
1. No Contamination Risk
Consumer-grade plastic is often made with plasticizers that leech into food and liquid over time when subjected to certain conditions, such as heat. The recent bisphenol A (BPA) ban in baby bottles and sippy cups doesn’t make plastic bottles any safer, since other plasticizers (such as phthalates) are still in use. Conversely, glass bottles run no risk of contamination.
2. Permeability
Some types of plastic exhibit porous properties that allow certain materials to get in or out of the container without compromising its integrity. This can occur without warning, and although the range of migratory gases and liquids is limited, sensitive liquids should be thoroughly protected from even slight contamination. Glass bottles guarantee this protection.
3. General Durability
While plastic may be shatterproof, its cheapness can also translate to flimsiness that isn’t apparent until it’s made a few rounds in the dishwasher. Cheaper plastic bottles are prone to punctures and cracks over time, which can lead to contamination and leakage. On the other hand, glass bottles always hold their shape and are naturally scratch-resistant.
4. Microwave Safety
Plastic bottles that don’t contain migrating chemicals under normal usage scenarios can still contaminate their contents with microwave and heat exposure. Non-microwavable plastics risk instability and melting into the contents they carry.Although claims of dioxin contamination in non-reusable water bottles have been dispelled, other chemicals can still leech into a bottle’s contents when microwaved.
5. Reputation
Glass bottles are typically used in laboratories to hold sensitive liquids, including acids and highly reactive compounds. This is necessary to prevent the aforementioned contamination from ruining the contents, or worse, reacting with it. Because plastic can adsorb to surfaces and also contaminate the outside environment, glass bottles are considered safer overall — take it from the world’s brightest people.
While improvements are being made to the safety and durability of plastic, glass bottles are still generally considered safer for handling sensitive liquids. It’s worth noting that different types of plastic (as indicated by their codes) react differently to environmental conditions, which also makes glass a simpler solution. With glass bottles becoming more shatterproof, their notoriety for fragility has become less relevant. If in doubt, glass bottles offer a peace of mind that plastic can’t guarantee.
