Educational Blog

Chess of the World

Most of you are familiar with Western chess. But other parts of the world play different types of chess-like strategy games. Most of the games follow the similar concept: Each player has pieces that can move in certain ways. The object is to capture the opponent's king by surrounding it so that it can no longer move. This article explores the various different types of chess.

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Which water bottles are safe?

The recycling triangle has a number in its center. Avoid plastics labeled #3, #6, and #7. Numbers 2, 4, and 5 are safe. The ubiquitous hand-held bottles that pre-packaged water comes in is #1. They are safe but recommended for single-use only. The best choice in terms of safety and eco-friendliness is to use metal reusable water bottles where refill it with your beverage of choice. If you prefer plastic sports water bottle, pick one that does not contain BPA.

According a MSNBC video you should not use plastics numbered #3, #6, and #7 in the recycling triangle. These types of plastics may contain a chemical known as Bisphenol A, or BPA for short.

BPA is Bad

According to the article "Which plastic water bottles don't leach chemicals?", BPA is xenoestrogen which is an endocrine disruptor and is "linked to breast cancer and uterine cancer in women, decreased testosterone levels in men, and are particularly devastating to babies and young children". BPA is bad enough that Europe has banned its use in baby products.

Most hand-held bottled water comes in polyethylene terephthalate plastic (PETE) and has the number #1 in the center of the recycling triangle. These are recommended for single-use only.

Plastics labeled #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene), or a #4 LDPE (low density polyethylene), or a #5 PP (polypropylene) are considered safe. [reference]

Some reusable sports water bottle are of type #7 which is not good. According to this TreeHugger.com article, you should replace it with Sigg, Klean Kanteen, or CamelBak.

Use Sigg Bottles

Sigg bottles are Swiss-engineered extruded from a single piece of aluminum with an non-toxic inner lining that is resistant to leaching. There are many stylish colors and patterns to choose from.

Use Klean Kanteen Bottles

Klean Kanteen is made from food grade stainless steel. Therefore they do not need an inner lining. Like the Sigg, they are completely BPA free and does not leech.

Use CamelBak Bottles

If you prefer plastic over metal bottles, then use the CamelBak bottles. They are BPA-free, so they do not have the health concerns of other plastic bottles that contains BPA.

Some Nalgene Bottle are Fine

Nalgene is coming out with new lines of BPA-free products which are safe. The Tritan, ultralite HDPE, fitness LDPE, stainless steel, and others lines are BPA-free. See comparison chart. As you recall, HDPE and LDPE are high-density and low-density polyethylene (number #2 and #4) and are considered safe plastics.
 
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