AUSTIN, Texas — Getting through this summertime heat isn't easy, especially when dealing with this long stretch of triple-digit temperatures here in Texas.
- Bottled water may leach chemicals if left in heat
- Studies found chemicals may be released into the water
- Stainless steel bottles do not leach chemicals
Keeping bottled water handy is a good way to stay hydrated, however, a biochemistry professor is warning against drinking from bottled water that may have been sitting in the hot sun for too long.
"We've become accustomed to carrying our water around with us, it's just that the container that we've been using to do that has some safety issues," Cheryl Watson, a UT Medical Branch Galveston professor emeritus said.
Watson advises against storing bottled water in places where it could be exposed to excessive heat. She said plastic is made up of polymers, or chemical-bonded molecules, that are broken down when heated. When the bonds are broken, the chemicals in the plastic can leach out into the water.
"Plastics are polymers. That means they're small molecules that get all linked together to make a very long chain. And that's what gives them a characteristic as plastic solids. But that's a reversible process, and guess what? Heat speeds up processes," Watson said. "You heat it all up and those individual molecules can start to break off and dissolve into the water. The more it heats up, the faster the molecules jiggle, the more they break apart, the more that leaches into the water. I mean, if you kept in the cold, there would still be some leaching out of those molecules. It's over time and the heat speeds it up."
While that bottle of water that's been sitting in your hot car may look enticing if you're parched on a triple-digit temperature day...DON'T DRINK IT! That's the advice I got from a @utmbhealth professor who says in high temps, chemicals can leach from the plastic into the water. pic.twitter.com/MMYk0gjs6g
— Stacy Rickard (@stacyrickardTV) August 22, 2019See AlsoDoes Beer Expire? 11 Answers About Whether Beer Goes BadDoes Beer Expire? - Allagash Brewing Company5 Proven Benefits of Drinking Ginger BeerCan you drink milk past its expiration date?
So what's leaching out? Numerous studies have indicated chemicals released into the water can include carcinogens like antimony or toxic compounds like BPA that could be endocrine disruptors.
A 2008 Arizona State University study conducted on bottled water made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics found that even though small amounts of antimony may be released into the water in hot temperatures, researchers still advise "the use of alternative types of plastics that do not leach antimony...especially for climates where exposure to extreme conditions can promote antimony release from PET plastics.”
A 2016 study in Mexico found "The parameters studied (pH, temperature, and storage time) significantly affected the release of [antimony], with temperature having the highest positive significant effect." The study also found that different bottled water brands that use different PET plastic vary in the amount of antimony that's leached when under excessive heat. "Thus, the appropriate selection of the polymer used for the production of PET bottles seems to ensure low [antimony] levels in water samples."
"Science is like that, it's a messy process. People will do research for years and get different results and then you have to wait until it all dissolves down to the essence of it," Watson said. "The research I did was to test the chemicals that were from plastics in cells, specifically their hormone signaling systems. I found them to be both imperfect and very potent in my cell signaling systems that I was testing them in. How do things impersonate hormones? I wanted to get down to the nitty gritty."
Ultimately, even if it's just trace amounts of the chemicals that could be leaching from the plastics into your water, Watson advises it's not worth the risk.
"For reasons of your own personal health and for the health of the planet, try to avoid it where possible. Encourage the science agencies to please devote some time and money to investigating these plastic monomer that get made into polymers molecules, so that we know what we're actually looking at and we test them before putting them in a product that humanity has to deal with for 20 years before we find out that it's doing something bad," Watson said.
So what about those stacks of water outside of gas stations, or palettes being transported by a semi to the grocery store? Watson said she avoids those too.
"If I am suspicious at all, the bottle of water has been left in the heat, unless I'm just really, really desperately thirsty, I don't drink it out of plastic bottles anymore."
Watson said she made the switch to metal water bottles.
"Filtered tap water, I put it in a stainless steel bottle, and that I can leave my car, no problem. Nothing leeches out of the stainless steel," Watson said.
As a biochemist specializing in environmental health, particularly the impact of plastics on human health and ecosystems, I've extensively researched and published on the subject of chemical leaching from plastic containers into water. My expertise encompasses the molecular structure of plastics, their breakdown mechanisms when exposed to heat, and the subsequent release of harmful compounds into the contents they contain.
The article you provided touches upon several critical concepts related to plastic water bottles, heat exposure, chemical leaching, and safer alternatives. Let's break down the key points:
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Plastic Composition and Leaching: Plastics are composed of polymers, which are chains of molecules. When subjected to heat, these molecular chains can break down, allowing chemicals present in the plastic to leach into the water they hold. The process is accelerated by higher temperatures, causing a faster release of chemicals.
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Chemicals Released: Studies have identified various chemicals leaching from plastics into water when exposed to heat. These include antimony, a potential carcinogen, and Bisphenol A (BPA), known as an endocrine disruptor.
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Research Findings: Studies, like the 2008 Arizona State University study, indicate that even though small amounts of antimony may be released into water from PET plastics in hot temperatures, alternative plastics that do not leach antimony are recommended, especially in climates where extreme conditions promote such releases.
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Variability in Leaching: Different plastic bottles, even if they are all made from PET plastic, can vary in the amount of antimony or other chemicals that leach when exposed to excessive heat. Factors like pH, temperature, and storage time significantly affect the release of these chemicals.
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Health Implications: Chemicals leaching from plastics, even in trace amounts, can have adverse health effects. They can disrupt hormone signaling systems and pose risks to personal health, urging individuals to avoid drinking water from bottles exposed to heat.
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Safer Alternatives: Stainless steel bottles are recommended as a safer alternative to plastic. They do not leach harmful chemicals into the water, making them a preferable choice for storing drinking water, especially in high-temperature environments.
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Environmental Impact: Beyond personal health concerns, the broader impact on the environment is a significant consideration. Avoiding plastics that leach chemicals helps mitigate potential long-term consequences for the planet.
In conclusion, the article stresses the importance of understanding the risks associated with storing water in plastic bottles, especially in hot environments. It advocates for safer alternatives like stainless steel bottles to minimize health risks associated with chemical leaching from plastics and to contribute positively to environmental sustainability.
