Plastic water bottles have become a part of daily life for most of us, whether we use them in travel, gym classes, or the workplace. Yet concerns have been raised regarding potential health risks related to using them as water carriers.
Answer: Are plastic bottles safe for drinking water?
Drinking water from plastic bottles depends heavily on both the type of plastic used and storage and usage conditions. Here are a few important points to remember:
1. Water Bottles Plastic Types
Water bottles can be composed of different kinds of plastic materials. The most commonly used drinking water bottles are PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), HDPE and Tritan. These plastics are generally considered safe as they do not release harmful chemicals during normal conditions.
2. Plastic Degradation
Over time and exposure to sunlight, heat or rough handling, plastic bottles may deteriorate, releasing small amounts of chemicals into the water. To reduce this risk, avoid storing them directly under sunlight, high temperatures or freezing conditions, and replace them regularly with new bottles.
3. Cleaning
Reusable plastic bottles should be regularly washed to eliminate bacterial growth. Use warm, soapy water and allow the bottle to dry thoroughly before reusing it.
4. Choose a Reputable Brand
When buying bottled water, look for brands with established quality control measures and uses appropriate plastic materials.
5. Check for leaks and cracks
It is important to inspect plastic bottles regularly for signs of damage, such as cracks that indicate degradation in their plastic composition.
6. Reusing single-use bottles
Single-use plastic bottles were intended to be used only once before being thrown away and may not be suitable for extended reuse as they can harbour bacteria and break more quickly.
7. Consider alternatives
If plastic bottles pose any potential health hazards to you, why not switch to stainless steel or glass alternatives, which are both reusable and don’t pose similar potential risks?
Water from plastic bottles may be safe to drink, but take measures to protect its quality and minimize potential risks. Overall, drinking from plastic bottles is generally safe if you select the appropriate types of bottles and regularly maintain clean reusable bottles.
