Safe Plastic Water Bottles - Precautions & Food Safety Tips

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The Facts about Plastic Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are made of Lexan polycarbonate resin, a plastic polymer material also being used for mobile phones, computers, baby bottles, CDs and DVDs. Generally, by-products of this material are highly durable and won’t retain flavors or odors. While its durability makes it a perfect container for water, since it ensures that no bacteria can penetrate it, consumers however have developed a habit of re-using plastic bottles. While one or two times of re-using plastic bottles for water containment is relatively safe, you should learn some necessary precautions to ensure that the plastic water bottles you reuse do not leach a potent hormone disruptor known as Bisphenol-A (BPA). This harmful substance can affect the reproductive organs and aggravate tumors, hamper breast tissue and prostate development.

How to Make Plastic Water Bottles Safe

Repetitive use of plastic water bottles is fine, as long as you know how to prevent bacteria from propagating in your plastic bottle water. Some of the necessary precautions include:

  • cleaning your plastic water bottles regularly with warm water and biodegradable soap
  • cleaning the mouth of your water bottle lids
  • allow the plastic bottle water to completely dry out before refilling it

Of course, the best way to ensure that you’re drinking safe water is to use alternative containers such as those made of stainless steel. But for those who refuse to use this kind of water bottle, the good news is that plastic water bottles are now safer because they are no longer made from polycarbonate resin. How do you know, for sure, that your plastic water bottle is safe? Be on the lookout for the FDA approval. Generally, all packaging materials are permitted for consumer use once it passed through the FDA standards.

Conclusion - Plastic Water Bottles are Safe

Thankfully, the use of polyresin for making plastic water bottles is gradually decreasing. Keep the pointers we stated to ensure that you are drinking clean water in a clean plastic bottle. But of course the most important thing is to maintain cleanliness at all cost. Like any other objects, plastic water bottles are susceptible to bacteria growth if not properly cleaned.