As an expert on global water ethics, I believe that water does more than just quench our thirst.

Thetype of waterwe drink speaks to the key in of world we want to live in.

Here are four reasons I recommendavoiding plasticwater bottles for the sake of your health and the planet.

Christiana Z. Peppard, PhD

It’s just filtered or radiated before being sold at a substantial price markup.

Moreover, traces ofphthalates,mold,trihalomethanes, andarsenichave all been found in bottled water over the years.

Only relatively recently did the FDA start regulating bottled water forE.

coli2, thanks to advocacy by the NRDC.

Some of these chemicals are possibleendocrine disrupters3that could mess withhormone levelsin the body.

Thatlocal foodis grown and cooked with…local water!

With that being said, tap water is far from crystal clear in many parts of the country.

The first step in nixing plastic bottles is finding out the state of your tap water.

(Just look for ones that are BPA-free.)

The only thing left to do after that is remember your bottle as you’re jogging out the door.