Cancer In Plastic Bottles

I did read not so long ago a warning saying plastic bottles should never be left in the heat of a car as when plastic heats up apparantly it releases toxins, so maybe they are just discovering plastic is not really good for us...I would listen to your sister In-law I guess she is in a position to know certain things...

I haven't read enough on the research behind this, so I can't advise you or add to it. All I know is that plastic has been used for a very long time and I haven't noticed any direct relationship between plastic useage and cancer. If it is really that bad, I'm sure the FDA would ban the use of plastic bottles! I do not buy bottled water, but only because of the environmental impact of the manufacturing of the bottles. I use a Brita water filter, which is made of plastic, by the way, and fill the bottle (also plastic) that came with it. I am not going to worry about getting cancer from it. We can also get cancer from the air we breathe! If we worried about every little thing that could potentially cause cancer, we would worry ourselves right into getting sick!

this is not true. things like this, often spread by e-mail and the internet are always worth checking out through the website Snopes.com. the false e-mails claiming plastic bottles release harmful toxins has been examined and debunked here http://www.snopes.com/medical/toxins/petbottles.asp it's just not true. I wouldn't be surprised if it was started by a bottled water company, to stop people refilling with tap water over time, instead of buying expensive bottled water. so you can drink from re-used plastic bottles all you like, even if they have been frozen or left in a hot car.

I think the risk is minimal and not worth worrying about. However, chemicals used in the manufacture of many types of plastic bottle do over time leech into the water or liquid contained within them. I think plastic packaging for food is a bad idea all round. I no longer by water in plastic bottles. Plastic bottles are one of the biggest causes of environmental pollution in recent years.

Hi best. After I read your post here, I automatically searched for an answer. This is very alarming coz, I too, have been using plastic bottles for storing water on the fridge. Here's a part of what I have read: In terms of health risks, the evidence is growing that chemicals leached from plastics used in cooking and food/drink storage are harmful to human health. The most disturbing of these are hormone (endocrine) disrupters, such as Bisphenol A (BPA), which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells. Exposure to BPA at a young age can cause genetic damage, and BPA has been linked to recurrent miscarriage in women. The health risks of plastic are significantly amplified in children, whose immune and organ systems are developing and are more vulnerable. The manufacture of plastic, as well as its destruction by incineration, pollutes air, land and water and exposes workers to toxic chemicals, including carcinogens. If you want to read more, here's the link of the website http://www.lifewithoutplastic.com/factsonplastic.htm Happy Postings best. HUGZ!

There has been a lot of new, discussions and arguments on this matter and I myself is so concerned on this issue because I do reuse plastic bottle of mineral water. You can check out with http://www.petresin.org/qa_002.asp. I think they have given a very helpful info on this matter.

I reuse mine also. But I don't reuse them for drinking purposes more than 3 times then they get used to store rainwater for the plants. we clearly label these bottles so there is no confusion. I have heard that ones with certain recycle numbers on the bottom do release toxins but don't remember which ones. I have tried using my filter bottle for my water but have never established a habit with it.

I heard a long time ago that I should never re-use my plastic bottle because of germs and so on... so I asked about washing it and I was told that the heat from washing it could also harm us because the heat brings out some toxins? I would say it's not the best choice and I would just toss them to be safe... :)

I have read about that but I think plastics if not swallowed in large amount would not trigger cancer in us. There are many factors that triggers it and plastic alone could not trigger it. There are pollution, even depression could trigger cancer cells from activating and invade our bodies.

I wonder why if you have a new plastic bottle of water that is considered safe but once you drink it and refill it it is now unsafe to drink from - hmmmm wonder why. How do we know how long that plastic bottle of water was sitting on the store shelf before we buy it. Personally I feel that the water companies don't want people to reuse a water bottle, they would prefer us to throw it away and buy a new one to make more money off us. I mean they are in business to make money. I don't understand they still sell plastic "pitchers" to use in your home for water, juice, kool aid, etc. and what about all the plastic "tupperware" containers that they still sell and we use to store food. Why don't they mention that those are unsafe to use also, they are also plastic. Makes you wonder if this is all true or just a way to get us to spend more money, I wish I knew.

I have heard that too much plastic is harmful to your thyroid, I really don't believe so much plastic is good for anyone, I think we have given up some things such as glass bottles and placed our health at risk due to not wanting to risk anyone getting cut on glass, sometimes I think that we should really think about things a little better than we do. I think it is good to recycle but sometimes we just need to get rid of some things especially plastic things.

Yes, I think most of the plastic bottle may cause cancer. It's not safe to reuse the plastic bottles. There may be some plastic bottle with certain grade may be a bit safe. In my mind, I will think that's better not to use plastic especially for food or drinks.

Very interesting discussion going on here. I do not know about refrigerated plastic bottles, but I reuse mine for a month or so and then recycle it and start over. I have a PUR pitcher/filter system (all plastic) I use that water to refill my bottle for bike riding. I did tell my family to STOP heating up leftovers in the microwave in a plastic container because I had read about it releasing carcinogenics when heated.

Hi Neil, I haver never heard of that, but I have two old plastic bottles and I used them to water my indoor plants. These days it seems everthing cause cancer, how are we going to live if we listens to everything thats been said. Tamara

ive heared that too...not to recycle plastic bottles especially those exposed on hot temp. emits toxin which are of course bad for our body..they says or i guess i heared it in the local news by the company who uses plastic bottles for mineral water,distilled and the likes ..that its not good to recycle it..like the plastic that are being use for food take outs..its not then advisable..

Hi neildc, We also do that in my parents house and when I learned about this before, I started to get rid of it and sometimes, they will still use..But, There are bottles that can be recycled..I do know how true it is, at the bottom of it, you will see numbers such as 1,2 or 3 and that's the number of time you can only use it after that, throw it away!

I'd herd of this somewhere else myself. All the years I delivered mails I'd freeze a couple bottles of water and take one with me when I left the office then I had another one which I put in the freezer at the convenience store where I took my lunch and bread so I'd switch bottles there and drink the water as it melted. Since I haven't been working I've been doing the same thing when I go to our local pool, I freeze a bottle or two of water to take with me. Of course on really hot days the water would not only melt but just about boil so obviously the plastic bottles have gotten quite hot and since I'd use the same bottles forever, washing them everyday but still reuse them constantly, they've gotten hot repeatedly. I'm about to give up already! We're supposed to drink plenty of fluids, especially when we're out in the heat and even more so when we're working in it, and water is better to drink than soda or other drinks that are full of sugar and sodium but now we find out we're harming ourselves by drinking water out of plastic bottles. What will be next? Annie

I am certain that there are risks associated with plastic bottles. I do think that your sis-in-law is right. Prevention is better than cure.

Hi , I never heard of the bottles causing cancer, but then again I am not too sure Neil . My aunt reuses bottles all the time , and so do we here . The thing that I have been told and taught is to wash each bottle out with hot water , and some sort of dish soap , and then hot water again . That will kill all the germs and bad stuff

It is not true! If you ever wonder if a rumor is TRUE or FALSE - go to: www.snopes.com and you can find the truth about myths, rumors and legends. :) Have a great day!!