If plastic bottles are exposed to boiling water, harmful chemicals are released 55 times more than normal. Also, when water freezes in them, harmful substances enter them due to changes in the polymers of these containers.
Researchers from Nanjing University in China, by examining drinking water bottles in this country, found that after four weeks, the amount of chemicals released in the water increases as the temperature rises.
This research was conducted under the supervision of Lena Ma from the Institute of Food and Agricultural Science and project research professor of Nanjing University, China. In this research, 16 different brands of water bottles were examined. These bottles were stored at 158°F for four weeks. Out of this number of brands, only one brand had used the standard amount of ingredients.
Plastic bottles are made of polyethylene terephthalate. When these materials are heated, they release antimony and bisphenol. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, antimony is a carcinogenic element.
Although the US Food and Drug Administration has warned against the excessive use of these substances in beverage bottles, the effects of these substances on humans continue. Also, these substances have a negative effect on children’s health.
Lena Ma further added: more attention should be paid to the use of plastic bottles for various materials, including milk, coffee and juice. We only researched drinking water, but if these juice ingredients contain acid, the story will be completely different.
The results of this research have been published in the Journal of Environmental Pollution.
October 11, 2013 13:23
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