The Hazards of Drinking From Plastic Bottles

Many beverages come in plastic bottles. Manufacturers choose to use plastic over aluminum cans to save money and be more environment-friendly. Many people choose to buy bottled water because they believe that it is safer than ordinary tap water in the home. However, plastic bottles come with hazards of their own. It is important to know the types of bottles that may be dangerous to your health.

Gases and Leaking

• When the water in a plastic bottle becomes extremely hot, it can react with the plastic to emit gases. The sealed bottle does not let these gases escape, which forces the gases to be absorbed into the water. This can make for an unwanted extra ingredient in the water. The material used to make the bottle can also leak into the water if it gets hot enough to start to melt.

Composition

• Many plastic bottles are made from a chemical called Bisphenol-A. Obviously, the water is in direct contact with this chemical when it is stored inside the bottle. Bisphenol-A has been linked to several health problems, including breast cancer and Type-2 diabetes.

Contaminants

• Water is a great breeding ground for bacteria in and of itself. Because water bottles are reused, it is possible that bacteria can develop inside the bottle over time. This can then be ingested with the water and cause illness. Watch out for dented bottles, as the dent can be an especially easy place for bacteria to gather.

Bottles to Look For

• Look for beverages in plastic bottles made from #1 polyethylene terephthalate. This chemical has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration as safe for consumption, although the FDA does recommend using each bottle only one time. The majority of manufacturers have already adopted this chemical for their bottles.