Understanding Tritan Plastic : The Safest Available Plastic

In Defense of Tritan, a BPA-Free Plastic

Our Clearly Filtered plastic water bottles and water pitcher are made from BPA-free, medical-grade Tritan plastic because of its shown safety and durability. Find out why Tritan is the only plastic you’ll find in our goods by reading on.

Is it okay to use a Tritan plastic water bottle?

When it comes to plastics, Tritan is by far the most secure option. Tritan is free of bisphenol A (BPA), bisphenol S (BPS), and any other bisphenols. Medical-grade Tritan plastics are those that have been evaluated and found suitable for usage in healthcare settings.

Is it safe to use BPA-free plastic?

Tritan plastic is safe since it is made without the use of BPA or bisphenol A, offering you a level of comfort you won’t find with other BPA-free plastics. That’s because many items advertised as being free of bisphenol A (BPA) actually employ substitute bisphenols. These BPA alternatives may be just as harmful as BPA, according to preliminary research.

Tritan is produced without the use of bisphenol-A or any other bisphenol compounds, so it is not only BPA-free but also bisphenol-S-free. In addition, independent lab tests have shown that Tritan does not contain any estrogenic or androgenic activity.

Estrogenic activity: what is it? Is there androgenic action?

Hormones like estrogen and testosterone are crucial for sexual differentiation and development in humans and other animals. Studies have shown that interference with these biological processes by both naturally occurring and manufactured substances can have negative consequences.

Toxic compounds with the potential to affect the endocrine system in humans are known as endocrine disruptors. Chemicals that imitate estrogen and testosterone in living animals are categorized as endocrine disruptors and are said to display estrogenic activity (EA) and androgenic activity (AA).

Is there any evidence that Tritan plastic is safe to use?

Numerous independent laboratories have confirmed that Tritan plastic does not contain any bisphenols and does not have any estrogenic or androgenic action. These checks consisted of

• Relating quantitatively how two things behave (QSAR1) Monomer molecular modeling for evaluation of potential activation of human estrogen and androgen (testosterone) receptors through analysis of structural similarity and binding affinity.

• Transactivation receptor testing.2,3 Both the monomers and concentrated extracts of Tritan were tested for their estrogenic and androgenic activities in vitro utilizing yeast and mammalian cell tests. The ability of a drug to bind to a hormone receptor and hence activate gene expression is measured in these assays. The FDA and EU (particularly, Commission Regulation No. 10/2011) guidelines for food contact migration testing were used in the creation of the extracts. After simulating a dishwasher’s environment for 10 days at 70 degrees Celsius in Cascade® solution, additional extracts were obtained.

• Tests of binding competitions Competitive binding experiments were performed as a follow-up because the QSAR and transactivation studies had failed to find evidence of binding or gene expression via estrogenic or androgenic pathways. These analyses can verify a substance’s unique binding to a designated hormone receptor and provide a basis for estimating the affinities of other substances for their target receptors.

Assessment of teratogenesis  This in vivo test is more conclusive because it evaluates a substance’s ability to trigger estrogenic responses in real, functioning organisms. This analysis is also included in the EPA’s Tier I Endocrine Disruption Screening Program.

An assay developed by Hershberger. This in vivo assay is more conclusive than in vitro tests for determining whether or not a chemical can trigger androgenic reactions in living organisms. This analysis is also included in the EPA’s Tier I Endocrine Disruption Screening Program.

The lack of any detectable estrogenic or androgenic effects in these independent investigations provides strong evidence that Tritan is completely benign.

The following regulatory organizations throughout the world have given Tritan plastic their blessing for use in food contact applications:

EFSA and the European Commission on Food Safety 

Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association of Japan Ministry of Health of China National Sanitation Foundation of the United States 

Will Tritan plastic hold up well?

One thing we’re certain in is Tritan plastic’s unparalleled lightness and durability. We also incorporate it into our products for this very important reason. Consider all the abuse that a water bottle receives over its lifetime, from being dropped and thrown into random bags to being rinsed in hot water repeatedly. This is exactly what Tritan is able to do.

Tritan is shatter-resistant, so it can imitate the look and feel of glass without the fragility. It can withstand being dropped without being damaged, unlike stainless steel.

Can I put Tritan in the dishwasher?

Yes! Tritan plastic can be put in the dishwasher without worry of it melting or warping. It will retain its brilliance even after many washings. If you’re using one of our filtered Tritan plastic items, please note that the filter unit can only be cleaned by hand. Why can’t we put it in there to be cleaned by the machine? We utilize a different kind of plastic for the pitcher’s handle and sonic welding to put everything together, so the products don’t fare well in the dishwasher. 

 How can I identify Tritan plastic?

Companies who go the extra mile to use Tritan plastic are probably going to tell you about it. Buyer beware if they don’t. Research the product to ensure it is genuine Tritan. You may relax knowing that Clearly Filtered has you covered. Tritan is used in all of our plastic goods since we will accept nothing less.

What Clearly Filtered items are constructed from Tritan?

All of our plastic water filter items are made from Tritan.

• A filtered water bottle is a convenient way to bring along purified water from a public water source when traveling.
• The average filter life of a filtered water pitcher is 4 months, and it can produce half a gallon of clean, safe water at a time.

As opposed to using stainless steel, why doesn’t Clearly Filtered?

Yes, we do. Understandably, not everyone is fond of plastic. For those who prefer not to use Tritan plastic, we now offer a 20-ounce insulated stainless steel water bottle with Affinity® Filtration Technology. Read this to find out why the Clearly Filtered Stainless Water Bottle is the best option for you. 

Clearly Filtered, why don’t you use glass?

As part of our efforts to cater to as many people as possible, we also provide a 20-ounce borosilicate glass water bottle equipped with Affinity Filtration Technology. The Clearly Filtered Glass Water Bottle is the subject of further study. 

Video 01: Is BPA Free Really Safe? A Bisphenol Deep Dive