Health experts are cautioning that drinking water stored in plastic bottles left in cars may be harmful over time. Research has indicated that nearly 80 percent of bottled water contains microplastics and other unidentified substances, which have been associated with serious health issues, including cancer, fertility complications, developmental delays in children, and metabolic disorders like diabetes.
One pressing concern is that high temperatures can exacerbate these harmful effects. For instance, a study from Nanjing University in China exposed plastic bottles to extreme heat, around 158 degrees Fahrenheit, for four weeks. The results showed that the bottles, made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), released antimony, a toxic heavy metal, and bisphenol A (BPA) into the water.
Antimony can lead to symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, and even sleep disturbances, while long-term exposure may result in more severe conditions like lung inflammation and stomach ulcers. On the other hand, BPA is linked to a variety of health risks, including cancer, reproductive issues, and cardiovascular problems.
Interestingly, just 20 minutes in a car on a warm day—like 80 degrees Fahrenheit—can elevate the internal temperature to around 109°F. After a longer duration, say one hour, the heat can spike to about 123°F.
Following their research, the team at Nanjing University suggested avoiding the storage of plastic bottles in high temperatures since the release of antimony and BPA increases significantly with heat. Another study from 2023 by McGill University in Montreal found comparable results. They observed that heating common plastics, such as polyethylene, to 98.6°F resulted in the release of microparticles and nanoparticles. In contrast, samples kept in a 40°F refrigerator released very few particles.
An alarming finding across various brands is that bottles of water often contain hundreds of thousands of toxic microscopic plastic particles. Researchers at Columbia University reported an average of 240,000 plastic particles per liter of bottled water, compared to just 5.5 in a liter of tap water. These nanoplastics are particularly concerning as they are significantly smaller than previously identified microplastics, allowing them to penetrate into blood cells and even reach the brain.
These small particles often carry phthalates, chemicals used to enhance the durability and flexibility of plastics. Research indicates that phthalate exposure may be responsible for approximately 100,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S. These chemicals can disrupt hormone production and are associated with a range of developmental and reproductive issues, as stated by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
What’s particularly worrisome is that humans cannot visually detect these microplastics, yet research suggests they could be impacting our health substantially. It’s estimated that these toxins might cost the U.S. healthcare system close to $290 million annually, linked to adverse health effects spanning from birth defects to cancer, and even neurological issues.
Nanoplastics, being smaller than one micrometer, pose the most significant threat since they can infiltrate cellular structures. Studies have also indicated that these microplastics might influence DNA and gene activity, potentially igniting cancer.
A recent investigation conducted by Jiroft University of Medical Science in Iran found microplastics present in all colorectal cancer tissue samples that were examined. The accumulation in cancerous tissues was notably higher compared to control samples.
In light of these findings, health professionals are urging immediate action from policymakers and industry leaders. Researchers from Deep Science Ventures have pointed out that failure to address these issues could result in irreversible harm to both human health and the ecosystem.
They emphasize that policymakers need to consider the toxicity’s impact on fertility, particularly as many nations look for ways to enhance it through costly incentives. Protecting human and planetary health is crucial, and it becomes necessary to advance innovative technologies with proper funding and quick scaling.
In the U.S., the International Bottled Water Association reports that approximately 15 billion gallons of bottled water are consumed each year, averaging around 45 gallons per person.
