Polycarbonate is the issue because a pthalate, bisphenol A, is added to make the plastic more rigid. This is the Type 7 plastic, like those little clear glasses we all drink out of at the christmas party. Not all 7 types contain pthalates but most sport drink bottles do. Polypropylene has a 5 on the bottom and doesn't contain bisphenol A and is considered a "safe" plastic (at least for now).

Most of the research on pthalates is animal based with high doses. There's no good evidence for low dose chronic exposure (as for most things). Endocrine disruption in the environment is less clear cut in terms of risk, again with most of the studies looking at feminization in fish and egg viability. There's some weak research that suggests effects in humans, but it hasn't been clearly linked to pthalates as opposed to other environmental pollutants. IMO pharmaceutical and personal care product waste is a bigger immediate problem. But while the risk from phalates may be mostly theoretical at this point, if there's a better alternative, why not use it?

<<Brief recycling rant>>
Regardless of the plastic type, put it in the blue box and let the city sort it out. The city makes $20 million a year off our recycling so everything they get is tax relief. It drives me nuts when I see people in our building throwing out cans and bottles in the regular garbage. Kaching...