Is it true that refilling water bottles reproduces deadly chemicals?

Question

A co-worker of mine told me that continually refilling my water bottle was dangerous to my health. Apparently, chemicals made from the plastic bottle are recreated every time I refill it, increasing my chances of being diagnosed with cancer.

Anyone know if this is true or not?

Answer 1

I think your friend has fallen victim to that deadly disease called: Urban legend. The main reason you aren't supposed to refill plastic bottles is that they usually haven't been sanitized. This means that viruses and bacteria just sit there and multiply. Would you use a coffee cup everyday for a month without washing it?

There is some speculation that eventually the chemicals in the plastic may start to break down and leech into the water in the bottle. But, this isn't that chemicals are recreated (you can't create something from nothing - matter is neither created nor destroyed), it's that the chemicals are already there and may start to transfer to the water.

Answer 2

I kind of realize that at home! My mom used to refill plastic bottles and after a number of times the content started feeling a smell....

Answer 3

No, not true. The only problem with doing that is that you introduce germs into the bottle when you drink from it, and they can multiple over time if the bottle is not thoroughly washed. And most people who refill their bottles don't wash them in between. But if you only refill the bottle throughout the work-day, and the use a new one the next day, you aren't taking any risks.

Answer 4

If it were true there would be a lot of dead people running around out there. That is a bit of propaganda put out by bottling companies, to make you afraid to refill Empties, which is a lot cheaper.
There is no way that refilling a water bottle with water, can create any type of poison.
Drink all you want, it is not poisonous.

Answer 5

There is no authority to regulate the quality of bottled water so filling a water bottle from a tap is just as good, if not better than the bottled water companies. It's cheaper to. Dasani bottled water, bottled by Coke Cola is simply tap water from a city water source and they admit it. Short term exposure to the plastic is no risk.

Answer 6

I have also heard something similar to this. Apparently, the plastic used to make 1-time use bottles is not stable enough to be re-used indefinitely. It's recommended to only use plastic bottles designed specifically for multiple uses. Also, it's unlikely that you are properly cleaning your throw-away bottle so you may also get sick from bacteria growing around the mouth of the bottle.

Answer 7

No that isn't true. Plastic bottles are completely safe and you can refill them as many times as you'd like.

Answer 8

This has come up time and time agina but never proven.
I'm not sure if it is just a scare but who would say that.
I have a plastic sports bottle that I've used for a while.
I heard that:
-You aren't supposed to put them in the freezer.
-Just use glass bottles
-Nothing happens

I dunno. Do what you want. Everything causes cancer these days. There is a cancer for everything. You get cancer from saying 'cancer'.

Answer 9

FREEZING or MICROWAVING plastic not meant to be froze or heated releases chemicals when it breaks down the plastic-never heard of the refilling though

Answer 10

IF YOU WASH THE BOTTLE OUT FREQUENT ... AFTER , EVERY DAYS USE WOULD PREVENT BACTERIAL ILLNESSES FROM HAPPENING TO YOU