I stopped drinking bottled water out of plastic bottles years ago, when nobody was thinking about the side effects. Plastic bottles from bottled water can be harmful due to the possibility of chemical leaching, posing various health risks.
Health Risks From Plastic Bottled Water
- Chemical Leaching From Plastic Bottled Water:
- Bisphenol A (BPA): A synthetic chemical that may act like estrogen and disrupt endocrine functions. It’s linked to reproductive issues, heart diseases, diabetes, and developmental problems in children.
- Phthalates: Used to soften plastics, they can leach into bottled water and are considered endocrine disruptors, affecting reproductive health and development.
- Microplastics Contamination:
- Microplastics have been found in bottled water, and while their full health impacts are not entirely understood, they pose potential risks due to their ability to carry harmful chemicals and pathogens.
- Antimony and Other Chemicals:
- Antimony, used in manufacturing PET plastic bottles, can leach into water when exposed to high temperatures. Overexposure can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation, and at high doses, it can be toxic.
- Bacterial Growth:
- Reused, improperly cleaned, or long-stored plastic bottles can harbour bacteria and harmful microorganisms, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses. You cant usually tell how many times a bottle has been re-used so and weather its been heated up etc, so steer clear of them.
- Degradation Over Time:
- Plastic bottles can break down over time, especially when exposed to heat and sunlight, increasing the risk of chemical leaching. This process is accelerated if the bottles are stored in hot or sun-exposed areas.
- Environmental Stress:
- While not a direct health risk, the environmental impact of plastic bottles contributes to broader ecological stress, indirectly affecting human health through ecosystem damage, water pollution, and the effects of climate change. This is one of the reasons I do not drink from plastic bottles any longer, and the fact that buying bottled water is a waste of money.
It’s noted that not all bottled water is in containers with harmful chemicals, and many countries have stringent regulations for water bottling. Nevertheless, considering these risks, opting for safer alternatives like glass or stainless steel bottles, along with home water filtration systems, can be a healthier and more environmentally friendly choice.