Is water from plastic bottles unhealthy?

Most bottles in our country are made out of PET (polyethylene terephthalate) This material should be safe to my knowledge. Worse, it is certainly looking in some other countries, where there are not as big checks like we have here. There, I would be more worried, especially when the plastic of the bottle smells queerish. In doubt, I would inform me about the material that is particularly used.
2012-03-01 at 19:31

I once heard, that from the plastic bottles, substances can release that may act in the body similar to hormones. And of course, it is impossible to trace the effect of those things. Although the amounts are alleged to be so low that they do not exceed a critical threshold, I would not trust the thing. The limits are anyway only defined by the industry so that you can still sell your products without any problems.

This is why I only drink from glass bottles, even if I must carry a little more. But I do value my health! Not that at some point in 100 years people are saying: We did not know it even better.
2012-02-28 at 09:16

In the production of plastics actually always some chemicals are used, which can then be transferred to the water. What are the effects of these substances, can depend on the concentration and on the used plastic. Usually, at the bottom of the bottle, there is a triangular icon, indicating from which plastic the bottle was produced. For most plastic bottles, this is PET (PET has the code 01).

In fact, I have to agree with my previous speakers. Some scientists are said to have found that PET can trigger hormone-like substances. However, there is a great discussion on this topic and experts disagree on whether these substances are unsafe or safe. But you should be clear about the fact, that every chemical or substance has any effect in the body. But particularly bad, the acetaldehyde should be, that can be released from the plastic PET. At least in higher doses acetaldehyde can be carcinogenic.

What you should observe: disposable bottles often have lower quality materials and should therefore be avoided. Even bottles that are not marked, you should better not use, because here you can say nothing about the substances contained. Namely, it is especially bad, if several chemicals blur. The effects can then be quite different. Under no circumstances, you should let the PET bottles too long in the sun, because that accelerates the secretion of chemicals from the plastic and thus the inclusion of the substances in the water. Heat and UV rays are the decisive parameters. Surely everyone knows in this context, that the water sometimes tastes like plastic (in the hot summer). In this case, you should better dispose the water and do not drink it any longer, because then the concentration is the highest, and it is better not to go into an additional risk.
2012-03-03 at 17:13