You don’t have to drink it all and then pour in new water to drink it day after day. Sometimes such things inadvertently affect your health without you knowing it.
Plastic bottles are popular with us thanks to their low cost, convenience and reusability.
However, how to use them well and safely is something that few people think about. Let’s take a look at some tips on using plastic bottles to ensure your own health.
Depending on the plastic material, the bottle can decompose creating many dangerous chemicals that can be mixed into the water. Therefore, not all plastic bottles can be reused.
To see which types are allowed to be reused and which are not, pay attention to the symbols on the bottom of the bottle.
If the bottle has a label number 1 (PET or PETE) : it is safe for one use only. When exposed to atmospheric oxygen or high temperatures (such as sunlight), these bottles will break down into toxic substances.
Avoid using plastics labeled with the number 3 or 7 (PVC and PC) , because those are 2 toxic chemicals and are easily mixed in food and drinking water. Long-term use of this bottle can even cause you to have serious health problems.
Plastic bottles made from polyethylene (No. 2 and 4), and polypropylene (5 and PP) are suitable for repeated use. However, note that they are only safe if you use them to store cold water and have to clean them regularly.
According to scientists, drinking water from a used plastic bottle can contain the same amount of bacteria as a dog’s toy, even… a toilet seat. The amount of bacteria in those bottles often exceeds the specified safe threshold.
Why? Because we have created the perfect growth environment for bacteria by holding the bottle with dirty hands, then re-using it without going through the cleaning step, or cleaning it too lightly.
To prevent this, wash plastic bottles regularly with warm soapy water, vinegar, or antibacterial mouthwash. In addition, a study has proven that most of the bacteria are usually located in the screw cap – where you can’t wash it thoroughly . So to be safe, drink water with a straw .