DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I refill plastic water bottles with regular tap water. When the bottle is empty, I wash it and the cap, and refill it with water. I hear that toxins are released from plastics after reusing them. Reusing is cost-efficient and saves the planet from more trash, but it’s not worth the risk if it endangers health. What’s the potential harm in reusing these bottles? — P.G.

ANSWER: The plastic story is complicated and has no unimpeachable, authoritative answer. Most of the attention focuses on bisphenol A, BPA, an ingredient in many plastic containers and in the lining of many cans used in canned foods. A relationship between BPA and heart disease, type 2 diabetes and liver damage has been suggested. It might affect the fetus. And BPA is a weak estrogenlike substance.

Some European countries and Canada have banned the use of BPA in baby bottles as a safety precaution.

One good aspect of BPA is its quick exit from the body. The American Chemical Council views it as safe. The World Health Organization feels it’s premature to ban it. Our Food and Drug Administration hasn’t issued proceedings to take it off the market.

The decision to use BPA plastics is up to the user at the present time. Some safety tips are worth passing along. Don’t use plastics in the microwave or to reheat foods. Heat increases the release of BPA. Limit consumption of foods contained in cans lined with BPA plastics, or look for canned goods in containers without this material. Don’t put BPA-containing plastics in the dishwasher. Look for labels that say “BPA-free.” A “7” on the bottom of plastics indicates BPA. The six major U.S. companies producing baby bottles and infant feeding/drinking cups have not marketed BPA-containing materials since January 2009.

How great the BPA threat is can’t be determined currently. It has been used in plastic products for more than 40 years, which is somewhat of a testimonial to it.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Do 40 years of so-called social drinking have any effect on your muscles or strength? By “social drinking,” I mean three to four drinks at dinnertime.

I play a lot of golf and am losing distance on driving the ball.

I am 80 years old and in good shape. I swim, exercise and am very active. Should I cut down on alcohol?

ANSWER: The safe alcohol intake for a healthy male is two drinks a day; for women, it’s one. A drink is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of distilled alcohol (whiskey, hard liquor, whatever you call it).

I would advise you to cut back to one drink, partly because of your age.

Are you doing any strength-enhancing exercises with weights? They can keep your muscles strong. You don’t have to use heavy weights. Aging probably has more to do with your strength loss than has alcohol, but cut back all the same.

TO READERS: The booklet on peripheral artery disease explains this common condition that strikes so many older people. To order a copy, write: Dr. Donohue — No. 109, Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Enclose a check or money order (no cash) for $4.75 U.S./$6 Can. with the recipient’s printed name and address. Please allow four weeks for delivery.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My question is: Do physicians other than urologists prescribe Viagra, Levitra and Cialis? — S.C.

ANSWER: All licensed physicians prescribe all medicines, including Viagra, Levitra and Cialis.

There are fewer urologists than all the other kinds of doctors. Urologists, I’m sure, write prescriptions for these medicines, but since they are in a minority, the majority of prescriptions for erectile dysfunction have to be written by other doctors.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com.

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