Good for the environment but bad for health? Reusable plastic water bottles are in the sights of Danish researchers. Adopted by many for their convenience, these plastic bottles that can be reused endlessly would be dangerous for our health. A studypublished by two researchers from the University of Copenhagen, explains that chemicals in the plastic could end up in the water.
The two academics have multiplied experiments with water bottles of different types (new, used, washed in the dishwasher, etc.) filled with tap water. Then, after 24 hours, they analyzed the composition of the water. “We were surprised by the large amount of chemicals we found in the water after 24 hours in the bottles. There were hundreds of them, including substances never found before in the plastic, as well as some potentially harmful to health”explained Jan H. Christensen, one of the authors of the study.
The dishwasher, false good idea
Chemicals to soften plastic, a repellent present in mosquito repellent sprays but also photo-initiators. In a press release, the researchers warn:
“Photoinitiators are the most worrying, they are known to be carcinogenic or considered endocrine disruptors.“Scientists are also sounding the alarm on a very widespread practice: the use of the dishwasher. “The most toxic substances that we have identified have appeared after putting the bottle in the dishwasher“, indicated Selina Tisler. According to her, washing would wear out the plastic and therefore, it would intensify the passage of toxic substances from the plastic into the water.