By WENDY LEIGH
The Problem With Plastic Water Bottles In The Summertime
Depending on the type and quality of your plastic water bottle, the heat from the sun will cause the plastic to deteriorate, likely contaminating your water with harmful chemicals.
One such chemical, bisphenol A (BPA), can negatively impact your health. Even plastic drinking bottles from manufacturers who proactively avoid BPA often include toxic phthalates.
Bottles labeled PET, indicating they’re made of a durable, 100% recyclable plastic, can also release an overabundance of phthalates at temperatures as low as 86 degrees Fahrenheit.
Moreover, PET bottles are prone to releasing dangerous antimony compounds at just 140 degrees Fahrenheit. The compounds affect the heart, lungs, stomach, and many other organs.
If you leave a bottle you’ve taken a sip from in a hot environment, the bacteria from your saliva will multiply inside the bottle, and further sips will send them into your system.
It’s best to avoid leaving the bottles in the heat for more than two hours and toss them out after 12 hours of exposure. Glass bottles and boxed water are two safer options.