What Are the Dangers of Plastic Bottles Getting Warm?

Plastic bottles are part of nearly every American's life. These lightweight, hard to break containers are used to ship juice, soda, water and other beverages, as well as many other foods. Most baby bottles are made from plastic, as are many reusable sports and beverage bottles. However, not all plastic bottles are safe, especially if heated in the microwave or allowed to heat up in the sun. Some types of plastic can emit harmful chemicals or cause other health hazards.

BPA

• Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a compound found in many plastics, including polyester and polycarbonate. Only polycarbonate, a hard, clear plastic, is used to make bottles, however. This chemical mimics estrogen in the body, and can leach from polycarbonate bottles when they're exposed to high temperatures, such as those found in the dishwasher or microwave. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not consider BPA leached from bottles to be a significant human health hazard, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes that very low doses of the chemical could cause developmental problems in young children.

Bacteria

• Poorly cleaned bottles can breed bacteria, especially soda or water bottles originally intended as single-use. When exposed to warm temperatures, such as those provided by a hot beverage or long sun exposure, these bacteria breed rapidly. Many bacteria are harmless, but some can cause food poisoning or other illness. Always clean and sterilize plastic bottles between uses to reduce this risk.

Antimony

• Most single-use drinking bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate, or PET. This clear plastic does not contain BP, but can leach antimony, a toxic metal, under some conditions. According to Water Research, PET water bottles released relatively low levels of antimony at room temperature, but considerably higher levels when heated. This process takes a relatively long time, but bottles stored in locations where temperatures rise above 150 degrees F, such as an enclosed car or storage shed in a hot climate, could contain dangerous levels of antimony. Avoid storing these bottles where they can heat up.

Considerations

• Not all plastics pose a danger when heated. Water bottles made from high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) are not known to leach dangerous toxins, even when exposed to extreme temperatures. They can still harbor bacterial colonies, however, and should be cleaned carefully before and after use.