What's the Risks of Drinking from Plastic Bottles?

For record US has high-quality tap water, but American consumers spend a lot of money on bottled water every year due to the belief that it's safer than tap water. But is it? The perceived benefits may not outweigh the dangers of drinking water from plastic bottles.

Leaking/Leaching - Some plastic bottles leak chemicals into the water, particularly when the water gets hot and causes the plastic to give off gases which dissolve in the liquid. Watch out for hard, colored bottles made from lexan or polycarbonate, plastic baby bottles and drinking cups, which contain and can leak bisphenol-A.

Chemicals - Plastic bottles have a number of chemicals, but bisphenol-A (BPA) is a particular concern. Bisphenol-A has been linked to breast and uterine cancer, decreased levels of testosterone, and even type 2 diabetes. Hard plastic colored bottles made from lexan or polycarbonate, and most plastic baby bottles and drinking cups contain and can leak this chemical.

Bacteria - Bacteria thrives in moisture; therefore, the more you reuse a plastic bottle, the higher the chances that bacteria will grow inside it and make you ill. Any scratches in the bottle can also becoming a breeding place for bacteria.

Safe Bottles - Most plastic water bottles are made from #1 polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE), which has been thoroughly tested and deemed safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It's recommended for one-time use only.

● Note: Check for the following codes or numbers within the recycling sign on side or bottom of plastic bottles to ensure safety: #2 or HDPE, #4 or LDPE, and #5 or PP. You can also reuse these safely, as long as you thoroughly re-wash them with hot water and soap.

Potentially Hazardous Bottles - If you see recycling codes #3 or PV/Vinyl, #6 or PS/Styrofoam, or #7 or PC on the bottom or side of drinking bottles, stay away from them.

Environmental Dangers - It takes a lot of energy to make and distribute plastic, which leads to pollution during manufacturing and contributes to global warming. In addition, plastic doesn't easily break down in landfills.