When it comes to a healthy drink, nothing competes with the benefits of water. This is why everyone carries a bottle of water wherever they go. But are our water bottles a health problem? Especially those made of plastic?

They are generally safe, but depend on the type of plastic the bottle is made of. Plastic is made up of long chains of hydrocarbon molecules. Some other chemicals are added to these plastics to give them properties such as flexibility or color.

Buying bottled water
"Disposable" water bottles purchased at dairy bars, service pumps are usually made of polyethylene terephthalate (abbreviated PET or PETE), cheap and lightweight plastic. Its recycle code is 1.

PET is not one of the plastics that one would think has a tendency to cause a problem. Hence, for water, bottles made of PET are suitable for use in water storage.

Do you know which plastic is safe?
Plastics are evaluated in three categories based on their use.

GOOD TO USE
These plastics are known to release no chemicals suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE).
They are used to make bottles that hold soft drinks, water, sports drinks, ketchup, peanut butter, pickles, jellies and jars for jam.
High density polyethylene (HDPE).
This plastic is used to make bottles that store milk, water and juice. They are also used to make yogurt and margarine tubs, liners for cereal boxes and grocery bags, trash and retail.
OK TO USE
These are of a dangerous nature during production. These plastics are known to release no chemicals suspected of causing cancer or disrupting hormones. They are not as widely recycled as compared to PET or HDPE.

Low density polyethylene (LDPE).
LDPE is used for bread bags and frozen food and squeezable bottles.
Polypropylene (PP).
Used for ketchup bottles and tubs with yogurt and margarine.
BAD TO USE
These plastics either contain hormonal disorders or human carcinogens. They are probably less recycled than better plastic.

Polyvinyl chloride (V or PVC).
Most wrapped meats, cheeses and other foods sold in delicacies and groceries are wrapped in PVC.
Polystyrene (PS).
Foam insulation and also for hard applications (eg cups, some toys)
Others are usually polycarbonate.
These are not suitable for baby bottles, microwave ovens, cutlery and plastic lids for metal cans.
Bottle selection
If you want to be on the safe side, it is advisable to avoid consuming bottled beverages with recycling codes 3 or 7, especially for children.

The best bottles for use and reuse are those with recycling codes 2, 4 and 5. 2 and 4 are made of polyethylene and 5 are made of polypropylene.

But these bottles are expensive to produce; hence their use is mainly in the production of reusable bottles.

PET is likely to be the plastic of choice for disposable bottles. These are widely used by certain mineral water suppliers for bottling water.

Another rule is to use clear and transparent plastics instead of colored or opaque ones as they eliminate the potential risks of dyes added to the plastic.

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