I have noticed the common use of large black plastic containers to store water in many Treasure Beach households. I mentioned to one resident that I would not drink water from them. Out of curiosity, we opened her container and were unpleasantly surprised to see a white build-up inside; similar to the residue we usually see in the bottom of a kettle. Can anyone tell me if these containers are BPA free? If they are not, I shudder to think of the harm already being done!

calcium oxide/lime?
if so, white vinegar to clean the container.

I buy spring water in gallons for drinking

i doubt the containers you speak of are bpa free.
i did a bit of research and the largest bpa free container i found can hold 7 gallons.

I buy spring water in gallons for drinking

I echo your concern, "concerned". Unfortunately between SPRAY on vegetables to NO RECYCLING to BPA...Jamaica, like many countries, is in toxic overload. The bigger scare, however, is that they do not have access to alternatives like wealthier countries do. And voicing these concerns in Jamaica oftentimes goes into a black hole of sorts. It's virtually impossible to avoid BPA until governments and institutions write and enforce regulations.

As a general guideline, here's how you can reduce your BPA exposure long-term: http://plasticsans.com/?p=508

sadly, some folks don't have that luxury.

I think you may be confused,the black tanks i have seen for sale are appoved for potable water,furthermore in 35 years traveling to the island have never had a problem but common sense should be used. example dont drink down stream from the bathing cows. the white build up you refer to is mineral build up, pretty harmless.Relax and enjoy.

Kevin, as I understand it the issue is that BPA can leach out of the plastic into the water over time. Its not a short term problem...it won't make you sick to your stomach, give you diarrhea, etc.

But research is showing that over the long term, chronic exposure to the chemical can create health concerns. The first paragraph in the link that TB One Love shared gives one example of this:
Cancer and autoimmune disease rates continue to rise steadily. In 2009, EWG tests found estrogen-disrupting levels of BPA in 9 of 10 umbilical cord blood samples.
http://plasticsans.com/?p=508

As droughts and the lowering of our reservoirs become real concerns for the security and availability of the essential distribution of the water supply, we will necessarily be dependent on cisterns and tanks to ease our minds.

Which tanks at what level of affordability and water purity is relevant. Here on our Isle of Wood & Water the most common water storage seems to be those black Rhinos, available in various sizes, and are a real boon, especially after natural disasters, such as hurricanes, when the piping grid might be disrupted.

Rhino describes their tank composition as: two layers of prime grade linear polyethylene...with the inner layer that is "natural" in colour, ensuring that the water remains potable, without any odors or bad taste, and is approved by the Food & Drug Administration of the USA (FDA) for food & water storage.

Whether or not any form of of BPA (Bisphenol A), which is used to harden polycarbonate plastics & epoxy resins, are found in Rhino's polyethylene processing would be a question to their tech department, since even small dosages of BPA have included aggregating disorders and disruptions to the endocrine system.

Scientist found out in the mid 1930s that people and animals react to BPA as if it were a hormone (estrogenic effects.) Government reports say BPA is not safe for humans. So, in 2008, some retail stores removed products made with BPA. Many news stories wrote about BPA safety.
A 2010 report from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned about harm when fetuses, infants and young children contact BPA. In September 2010, Canada became the first country to declare BPA as a toxic substance.
In the European Union and Canada, BPA can not be used to make baby bottles.-Wiki

Rhino Water Tank Specs:
www.rototech-jm.com/content/?page_id=7

Gleaner::Assessing Utilities After a Hurricane
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20040919/business/business1.html

Well, TB Net sure can introduce something new in one's life. I have never before heard of BPA. In fact the chemical has never to my knowledge raised it ugly presence in the UK press.

My own header tank in the attic is black plastic - no health warnings attached. I drink from plastic bottles - no warnings attached. Modern domestic piping and water tanks in Jamaica is plastic. Anyone had a warning?

Why isn't everyone falling down dead?

Researching the matter briefly, the BNA hazard is low apart from, it seems, umbelical cords where the chemical can accumulate. At the same time I understand that by enduring 3 days apart from BNA contaminated sources the body rids itself of all BNA.

Where's the problem? Canada we all know is super safety concious and, really, it is best not to be rattled by their government pronouncements. In other words - don't panic Jamaica!

I have since googled Rhino (thanks Z), but found no indication that these containers are BPA free. If there were some way to inform people about this I would tell them to use the water for anything other than drinking. By the way, is anything wrong with using the old metal drums we used in years past?

TB One Love mentioned the spraying of vegetables. This is another thing I find disturbing. While I was in TB, a neighbour was spraying his cantaloupe patch upwind from me during a quite windy day. I took solace in the fact that I was only visiting, but I feel sorry for the residents who are being exposed on a regular basis.

BPA {BisphenolA} is a synthetic harmone that mimics estrogen, binding to the same receptors in the human body as natural female harmone etc. (googly}.While we are concerned about black drums we should take a look at the main water line from up the police station into Treasure Beach. 30 add year old delapidated ASBESTOS pipe which to my laymam's understanding is more cancerous than BPA

There is no escaping chemical exposure in our daily life.
What about the hormones to fatten our cows, hogs and chickens. Sprays to help raise our vegetables. Air polution from all over the world.
Really you are greater risks from riding in an auto in Jamaica, are anywhere else in the world.
Also, without these chemicals there will be starvation in the world.
So lets be realistic about what risks we face on a daily basis.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Sorry MikeyMike, but as someone who drives these roads every day and for 15 years drove professionally in this country I take offense to your statement. "Really you are greater risks from riding in an auto in Jamaica, are anywhere else in the world."

I know many drivers who have never been in a serious accident or even a fender bender. We may drive faster than what you would like but we know our vehicle and the roads. Now I am off to Kingston for the day. That is a 6 - 7 hour day of driving.

Here is an article listing the top 10 most dangerous countries to drive in. Jamaica is not on the list.

http://www.safetravel.co.uk/dangerous-countries-drive-in.html

I'm not saying our roads are the safest by any means, but we are not the worst of anywhere in the world.

Rebecca
I was only stating that driving in general (no matter the country)is more dangerous in your daily life then worrying about the chemicals used in plastic containers are pesticides.
I did not mean to "step on your toes" about driving in Jamaica. Notice that I did say "are anywhere else in the world".
Be careful going to Kingston !!
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Back home safe and sound. MikeyMike I think maybe there is some misunderstanding here. Do you mean to say or anywhere else in the world? If so, that would change the meaning of the statement a great deal.

MikeyMike..."Also, without these chemicals there will be starvation in the world. "...REALLY??? Are you familiar with organic farming? The technology is available; it's a matter of priorities. And, that's a REALLY BIG statement to go from no chemicals = world starvation. I think I'll leave that one up to Jah.

OK OK
Yes Rebecca, forgive me for my poor grammar :>)
Yes TB One Love I have heard of "organic farming", but you cannot feed the world population with just organic farming.
ONE LOVE !!
Mike

Oh what a mess we are inheriting and passing on. Black Water containers are not BPA free and to make it worse having them bake in the hot sun releases this toxin even faster, there is more toxins as well that go into its construction that is concerning for all. Its plentiful in the ocean as well which is ingested by aquatic life forms believing it to be food which we then eat.
Finding a way through and out of dependency to oil on a world wide scale is a nightmare. We all play a part in change no matter how small a contribution. Seek to inform your selves, the info is there, not all but enough to to make you wiser than you were before. There are intelligent and wise people on this forum that leave info for others to investigate and enlighten one's self. Please keep doing so.
I live in Canada and have to say that our safety standards and policies may be a bit better in some areas but not when it comes to big oil and if one knows anything about oil its in the production of dam near everything. Standards here in Canada are not as great as you would think for such a wealthy country but it all boils down to individuals thinking they are alone in change when "OUT OF MANY ONE PEOPLE ONE VOICE 1LOVE. Revolution is upon us, join in and be a part of the betterment of our planet which is a betterment for all things on it. Not brought to you by any political party,lol.
Love my home, little TB which not so little anymore.1LOVE All

New Earthling...I just noticed a SCARE that you put out about the ever-present black Rhino Water Tanks where you declare:
Black Water containers are not BPA free and to make it worse having them bake in the hot sun releases this toxin even faster, there is more toxins as well that go into its construction that is concerning for all.

We should be careful about any alarms that we might sound, especially about such a sensitive subject as the quality, storage and safety of our drinking water.

I went into my Manufacturer's Spec File, and found this assurance from the Research & Development Dept of Polimeros Mexicanos about the chemical compositions of their products, including their Rotolene line (Natural & Colours), of which Rhino Water Tanks are representative:

As far as we know, we want to express the following base on our resin's suppliers. The raw materials used to produce th Polimeros Mexicanos compounds, do not contain in the formulations Bisphenol A (BPA) or any other product of this compounds family.

If you have any further Chemistry Squabbles with the manufacturer, their R&D Dept can be contacted @:
invdesa@polimers.com

Good research Z.

Spanish jars are the ultimate storage, cool water but limited volume.

Taino Petalloid celts otherwise called thunderstones http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/taino/celts.htm were kept in them, not sure why.