Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Health experts have warned of the dangers of drinking water bottled in plastic bottles left inside cars.
They stressed that exposure of these bottles to heat could lead to the leakage of toxic chemicals into the water. This poses a risk to public health.
Scientific research has shown that up to 80 percent of bottled water available on the market contains microplastics. It also contains other undeclared substances.
It has been linked to multiple diseases, including cancer, fertility problems, and developmental disorders in children. It is also linked to metabolic diseases such as diabetes.
According to a study conducted at Nanjing University in China, exposing plastic water bottles made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to extreme heat for four weeks led to the leakage of antimony and bisphenol into the water. The temperature was 158 Fahrenheit.
Antimony is a toxic heavy metal that can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and sleep disturbances.
Infections and ulcers
Long-term exposures may lead to lung infections and stomach ulcers.
Bisphenol has been linked to an increased risk of cancer, fertility problems, autism, heart disorders, and early death.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that temperatures inside cars can reach 109 degrees Fahrenheit in just 20 minutes. This occurs on an 80-degree day.
It may reach 123 degrees within one hour.
In a recent study, up to 370,000 microplastic particles were found in one liter of bottled water.
The results showed that these particles, known as nanoplastics, are so small that they are able to enter blood cells. They can even enter the brain.
This greatly doubles its danger.
Many of these particles carry chemicals known as phthalates, which are used to increase the elasticity of plastic.
But they are associated with hormonal disorders, problems with growth, reproduction, the brain, and immunity.
More than 100,000 premature deaths are attributed to it annually in the United States alone.
In light of these findings, experts from the British Deep Science Ventures initiative called for urgent action by decision-makers.
They noted that inaction could lead to irreversible consequences for human health and the global ecosystem.
