About Microplastics and BioHavens
Not only are BioHavens safe for use in water: they remove some of the most toxic substances in water that are far more harmful than plastic - as well as microplastics.
Don't confuse the PET plastic in our recycled BioHaven matrix with the microplastic harming our oceans. Not all plastic is the same. The plastic ocean globs are formed from microbeads in exfoliators, single use plastic bags, microfibers from fleece clothing, and other detritus not fit to be present in water and too small to be trapped by wastewater treatment plants.
Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which are produced by the microbes that grow in BioHaven's matrix, may actually help to block or even remove microplastics from water.
General statement about the use of recycled PET plastics in the BioHaven matrix:
Long-Term Studies Show BioHavens are Safe
(1) BioHaven Floating Islands remove at least one deleterious plastic by-product (bisphenol A) from water; and
(2) the presence of BioHaven Floating Islands in a pond or aquarium has had no detrimental effect on fish; in fact, the opposite has been demonstrated, namely that BioHavens stimulate fish growth rate for all sizes of fish, including fry and small immature fish.
These high growth rates indicate no detrimental ingestion of polymer particles by the fish and no adverse reaction to the presence of the islands.
The plastic used in BioHaven products is appropriate and tested for use in even sensitive waters such as streams and lakes. It is the same EPA-approved plastic (PET) used in drinking water bottles that millions of people use every day without harm. No BPA is used in its manufacture so it cannot leach into waterways. BioHaven matrix is manufactured from the highest grade of recycled polyester that has a higher internal viscosity (IV) than many virgin polyesters.
To make sure that the plastic does not break down, even after years of use, all BioHaven Floating Islands leave our factory with a protective coating covering the top and sides. This coating is the same as that used for lining municipal concrete water tanks and is certified safe to potable water and food-grade standards. It protects the islands from UV damage and keeps them intact under heavy wildlife pressure (from waterfowl and muskrats, for example).
More Facts About Plastic Used in BioHavens
1. BioHavens are made of polyester. Polyester is considered the safest, most inert plastic. It is the primary plastic used for fabrication of drinking water bottles.
2. We know of no plasticizer that comes off of Polyester (PET).
3. PET does not contain BPA, phthalates, dioxins, lead, cadmium or endocrine disruptors.
4. Exposure to environmental conditions does not alter PET's safety.
5. No study has ever found toxic concentration of antimony associated with PET.
6. The insignificant levels of aldehydes that may be found in PET are lower than aldehydes that occur naturally in various fruits, butter, olives, frozen vegetables and cheese.
7. The small fraction of fully reacted polyurethane polymer present in BioHavens is chemically inert.
(1) BioHaven Floating Islands remove at least one deleterious plastic by-product (bisphenol A) from water; and
(2) the presence of BioHaven Floating Islands in a pond or aquarium has had no detrimental effect on fish; in fact, the opposite has been demonstrated, namely that BioHavens stimulate fish growth rate for all sizes of fish, including fry and small immature fish.
These high growth rates indicate no detrimental ingestion of polymer particles by the fish and no adverse reaction to the presence of the islands.
The plastic used in BioHaven products is appropriate and tested for use in even sensitive waters such as streams and lakes. It is the same EPA-approved plastic (PET) used in drinking water bottles that millions of people use every day without harm. No BPA is used in its manufacture so it cannot leach into waterways. BioHaven matrix is manufactured from the highest grade of recycled polyester that has a higher internal viscosity (IV) than many virgin polyesters.
To make sure that the plastic does not break down, even after years of use, all BioHaven Floating Islands leave our factory with a protective coating covering the top and sides. This coating is the same as that used for lining municipal concrete water tanks and is certified safe to potable water and food-grade standards. It protects the islands from UV damage and keeps them intact under heavy wildlife pressure (from waterfowl and muskrats, for example).
More Facts About Plastic Used in BioHavens
1. BioHavens are made of polyester. Polyester is considered the safest, most inert plastic. It is the primary plastic used for fabrication of drinking water bottles.
2. We know of no plasticizer that comes off of Polyester (PET).
3. PET does not contain BPA, phthalates, dioxins, lead, cadmium or endocrine disruptors.
4. Exposure to environmental conditions does not alter PET's safety.
5. No study has ever found toxic concentration of antimony associated with PET.
6. The insignificant levels of aldehydes that may be found in PET are lower than aldehydes that occur naturally in various fruits, butter, olives, frozen vegetables and cheese.
7. The small fraction of fully reacted polyurethane polymer present in BioHavens is chemically inert.