Generally, plastic is to be avoided in coffee making devices, especially in parts that come in contact with hot water. Although BPA is more commonly known to pose a health risk if ingested in large quantities, other compounds used for plastic manufacturing can pose higher risks, though not as known by consumers.
A plastic material is any of a wide range of synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solids that are moldable. Plastics are typically organic polymers of high molecular mass, but they often contain other substances. They are usually synthetic, most commonly derived from petrochemicals, but many are partially natural.