Bottled Water Often Contains Toxins From The Plastic Even though water is not acidic (unlike soda), whenever you drink out of a plastic bottle, you risk ingesting the chemicals used to make the bottles as these toxins can leach into the water over time.
Plastic water bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate. Whenever a bottle is heated, the material releases the chemicals bisphenol and antimony, also known as BPA. There have been studies to suggest that this chemical can cause adverse health effects in children.
Are BPA-free products fully safe? According to Care.com, just because a product is labeled as BPA-free doesn't mean it's fully safe to use. In fact, 70 percent of all BPA-free products still leach harmful chemicals into food and beverages.
It has been found to contain other potentially harmful chemicals, like microplastics, microfibers, and fellow EDC phthalates, that can leach into water if exposed to heat or left to sit for long periods of time.
Many plastics, and some metal, vessels contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) began warning about in 2010 due to its correlation with cancer. Glass is the safest water bottle type because it's chemical-free, made from natural materials, and dishwasher safe.
Observe the expiration date for store-bought water. If you are filling containers with water to store, replace the water every 6 months.
#1 Stainless steel is better for your health
The water you drink from your reusable plastic bottle is not nearly as healthy as you think it is. Plastics are packed full of toxic chemicals which can leach into water over time, particularly if the bottle is filled with hot liquids.
In fact, out of all materials, stainless steel bottles are regarded as the safest and healthiest water bottles.
Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical used primarily in the manufacture of polycarbonate (PC) plastics and epoxy resins. A product that is BPA-free is one that does not use the organic compound Bisphenol A in its construction.
Plastic water (and soda) bottles do not contain BPA
They don't contain BPA now and never did. The truth is, pretty much all plastic water (and soda) bottles are actually made from a plastic called polyethylene terephthalate, also known as PET. PET is not manufactured from BPA and does not contain BPA at all.
Exposure to BPA is a concern because of the possible health effects on the brain and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children. It can also affect children's behavior. Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
For the record, PET plastic does not contain bisphenol A (BPA). High density polyethylene (HDPE) is another plastic bottled water packaging material that FDA has approved as safe for food contact.
What are the benefits of filtered water? Health: Many filters remove or reduce health contaminants that can be found in tap water which may include lead, copper, mercury and more. Check the packaging or contaminant chart to see whether the filter is focused on contaminant reduction vs. taste only.
Water bottlers harm the environment by depleting aquifers and other groundwater sources. Water bottlers often have an impact on local economies because they pay little for the water they take.
The most reliable way to check whether an item is BPA-free is to consult the plastic identification code number — usually stamped on the bottom of the container. There are seven categories, where numbers 1 to 6 are free of BPA. This means that only those printed with the number 7 will contain the chemical.
The water left overnight or for a long period of time in an open glass or container is home to numerous bacterias and is not safe for drinking. You never know how much dust, debris, and other small microscopic particles might have passed into that glass. Water left in a bottle for a long time is not safe to drink.
What containers can be used to store water? Water should be stored before a disaster occurs, in thoroughly sanitized food-grade plastic or glass containers with tight-fitting lids. Food-grade plastic containers will not transfer harmful chemicals into the water or food they contain.
When you're using plastic containers, never store water in them for longer than 3 to 6 months, and keep a close eye for when it starts to become discoloured, cloudy or for any signs of contamination that will make it harmful for consumption.
BPA can mimic estrogen to interact with estrogen receptors α and β, leading to changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, or migration and thereby, contributing to cancer development and progression.
BPA can be absorbed into the body through the skin. The chemicals have been shown to be hazardous to reproductive systems in humans and animals and are linked with obesity and attention disorders.
Scientific research shows that in humans BPA is quickly metabolized in the intestines and liver and is quickly eliminated from the body. It does not accumulate in blood or tissues.
All in all, water in plastic bottles should be safe to drink, and no less so than water in metal bottles or any other type of container. If they have contaminants in them, they are likely to be found at tiny concentrations.