Plastic Water Bottles Exposed: The Brutal Truth

Written By: Kanya Shah
Plastic bottles are prominent in daily life whether used for sports, catering, or personal use. The types of plastic used to make water bottles are Bisphenol A (BPA), Bisphenol S (BPS), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET). All three of these plastics have been linked to health defects in immune, endocrine, neurological, and reproductive systems because they are endocrine disruptors. 

​Endocrine disruptors are dangerous chemicals that fool the body’s immune system and surpass the body’s defenses. Most commonly, these endocrine disruptors mimic or interfere with hormones which is unhealthy for developing young children and teens. 

How do the chemicals affect us? Studies have been conducted and several had the following conclusion. When water bottles are reused or left out on shelves or in the heat for more than a day, the chemicals can leach into the beverage. Consumers drink the contaminated water and heighten their risk for a variety of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disabilities, etc. Well recognized water bottle producing companies denied that their plastic bottles contained harmful chemicals and microplastics that can enter the water through air propulsion. 

To prevent health deterioration, buy reusable bottles made of steel or glass. Avoid bottles that are labeled with #3, #6, and #7--go by the rhyme 5, 4, 1, 2, all the rest are bad for you! Although the experiments have to undergo multiple procedures before the final verdict, ultimately, plastic isn’t as safe as manufacturers claim.