I am pretty sad about this post. I have been refilling plastic water bottles since high school – so let’s just say its been a long time!

The summary is – the plastic that bottled water comes packaged in actually leaks chemicals into your water. It happens even more as you reuse the bottle. Don’t reuse plastic water bottles even once!

Here is a summary of what is safe and what is not – you should be able to find the plastic number on the bottom of the bottle:

Relatively safe

• #1 polyethylene terephalate (PET) used only once
• #2 and #4 polyethylene
• # 5 polypropylene (catsup bottles, yogurt containers)

Unsafe

• #6 polystyrene (Styrofoam)
• #7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles

Never use

• Food or drinks heated in plastic containers in a microwave.
• Styrofoam cups (polystyrene #6), especially for hot liquids.
• #7 polycarbonate (Nalgene) water bottles
• Plastic baby bottles. If you must use bottles, use only glass baby bottles with silicone, not latex, nipples.

So what am I saying? Use glass if you can! Bring an actual glass to work that you can refill from the water cooler.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad (and inconvenient news)

More details:

• Polycarbonate water bottles (labeled #7) contain bisphenol A (BPA), which leaches from the plastic even at room temperature and has been linked to chromosome damage, hormone disruption, and brain damage. These are the types of plastic Nalgene water bottles found in sports stores.
• #1 PET or PETE bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) may leach DEHA, a known carcinogen, if used more than once.

Sources with more details:

1. Holistic Pediatric Association, Plastic Water Bottles
2. Grist, Bottle Racket, 08/02/20004
3. Grist, Nalgene Therapy, 01/10/2005
4. Boing Boing, Are reusable water bottles dangerous?, 04/05/2005