Why You Should Never Drink Water from a Warm Plastic Bottle
Staying hydrated is essential, regardless of whether you're an athlete or someone who leads a less active lifestyle. It's generally recommended to drink around half your body weight in ounces each day. If you're already meeting this guideline, you might think you don't need to worry about anything else. However, there's more to consider than just the quantity of water you consume. The container you use for drinking water is equally important. Although a disposable plastic bottle might seem convenient, it's harmful to both your wallet and the planet. What's even worse is drinking from a warm plastic bottle. Today, Office H2O wants to shed light on why you should avoid drinking water from a warm plastic bottle. While consuming from a single warm plastic bottle probably won't harm you immediately, experts are now warning that regularly doing so could lead to unexpected health risks. So why should you steer clear of warm plastic bottles? Let's explore the reasons. A recent article in National Geographic highlights the potential dangers of reaching for a warm plastic bottle this summer. Rolf Halden, director of the Center for Environmental Health Engineering at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute, cautions against this habit, stating, "The higher the temperature, the more chemicals from plastic can leach into your food or water." PET plastic, commonly used in water bottles, contains bisphenol and antimony, known as BPA, which can be released when heated. Studies have suggested that BPA may lead to adverse health effects, particularly in children. Antimony is classified as a carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organization. In a study led by University of Florida soil and water science professor Lena Ma, researchers examined the chemical release in 16 different water brands after being kept at 158 degrees Fahrenheit for four weeks. Their findings painted a concerning picture. As the bottles warmed, antimony and BPA levels increased. Therefore, Ma advises against leaving bottled water in a hot garage or your vehicle on scorching summer days. Both BPA and antimony have been associated with various health concerns. BPA has been linked to reproductive, immune, and nervous system issues. Additionally, it may increase the risk of Alzheimer's, metabolic diseases, childhood asthma, heart conditions, and type 2 diabetes. Research also indicates that BPA could negatively influence children's behavior. What about antimony? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), people are exposed to low levels of antimony naturally. Short-term inhalation exposure can affect the eyes and skin. Long-term exposure, however, has been tied to respiratory, cardiovascular, and reproductive issues. While antimony is not officially labeled as a carcinogen by the EPA, studies show that it has been linked to lung tumor growth in rats when inhaled. So how concerned should you be about drinking from a warm plastic bottle? The answer largely depends on how frequently you do it. Overall, based on the findings, the amount of trace chemicals consumed from a plastic bottle left in the heat is unlikely to cause immediate health problems. However, experts strongly advise against consistent exposure. Halden points out, "If you drink water from one PET bottle, will it harm your health? Probably not. But if you consume from 20 bottles a day, the issue becomes much more complex." The cumulative effect of constant exposure to plastics or microplastics in our water poses the greatest risk to our well-being. For this reason, Halden (along with numerous other experts) recommends switching to a metal water bottle instead of using disposable or reusable plastic ones, especially during the summer when heat accelerates chemical release. Additionally, Ma supports tap water (regulated by the EPA) over bottled water, even though it wasn't part of her original study. The research discussed here clearly demonstrates that we should avoid drinking from warm plastic bottles whenever feasible. Moreover, given the environmental and financial impacts of plastic, it's becoming increasingly evident that cutting down on disposable plastic water bottles altogether is the best course of action. Fortunately, there's a simple solution: purchasing a bottleless water system from Office H2O. At Office H2O, we're committed to providing convenient access to clean drinking water while reducing reliance on plastic. Our bottleless water systems incorporate the latest water filtration and purification technologies to eliminate plastic waste. If you're interested in acquiring your own system, feel free to browse our selection. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions—our team is here to assist you! Photo credit: Unsplash Color Sorters,Cereal Color Sorter,Color Sorter Machine,Metal Color Sorter Huade Heavy Industry Technology Co., Ltd , https://www.huadebaler.comThe Risks of Drinking from a Warm Plastic Bottle
The Impact of BPA and Antimony on Human Health
How Risky Is It to Drink from a Warm Plastic Bottle?
Say Goodbye to Plastic Bottles with Office H2O!