Can Bottled Water Go Bad In The Heat
In general, heat aids in the breakdown of chemical bonds in plastics, such as plastic bottles, and those chemicals can migrate into the beverages they hold. When heated, the chemically bound molecules that make up polymers, or plastic, disintegrate. The plastic’s chemicals may leak into the water if the links are disrupted.
The FDA does not specify a shelf-life requirement, and the water may last for an undetermined amount of time. However, plastics from bottled water do leach out over time, affecting flavor. The FDA does not mandate shelf life for bottled water, but plastic bottles may leach chemicals similar to hormones which grow in quantity over time.
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Some scientists studying food container durability advise against drinking water from plastic bottles left in a hot place for a long period, because the scalding heat could cause chemicals to leach into the water. The industry disagrees, and the International Bottled Water Association insists plastic bottles are regulated and safe in various conditions, including being left in hot cars. Drinking from an individual water bottle left out in the warm sun does not harm you, but experts say consumers should avoid prolonged exposure to plastic containers left out in extreme heat.
| For how long water bottle can stay in Heat | Side effects of Plastic Bottle |
| 2 years Still water | Severe health problem |
| 1 year Sparkling water | Liver and Breast cancer |
Leaving a water bottle container out in the sun will not result in harmful chemicals breaking down in your water, though the heat may impact the integrity of your bottle and alter its flavor. While leaving bottles in the sun may alter the colour, taste or odor of water, it will not cause hazardous chemicals to leach into the water, Hong Kongs Food Safety Center says. It is important to keep water bottles out of direct sunlight, as UV light breaks the chemical bonds in the plastic and changes the molecular structure of the material.
As temperatures and weather increases, chemical bonds in plastic are more and more broken, with chemicals leaching out. In these cases, chemical bonds in bottle plastics disintegrate and they are vulnerable to leaching to the water. Julia Taylor, at the University of Missouri, writes that there is a tendency for polymers such as plastic bottles to break down under heat, and those chemicals may migrate to the beverages in them.
When water within bottles that have these synthetic resins is expired, or exposed to too much heat, the water may become contaminated with lethal particles of those substances. FDA has found the rate at which the plastic substances migrate into the food is well within the margin of safety, including instances where the bottle is left in a hot car.
The plastic bottles holding the commercially packaged water are lightly permeable, will break down over time, and begin leaking chemicals into the water. Water is a naturally occurring substance that does not get worse, however, a plastic water bottle will degrade over time and start leaking chemicals into the water, so choosing a bottled water with no BPA is always a must. Since water is a natural occurring substance, it has an unlimited shelf life, however because of the way that plastic water bottles leach chemicals into the water over time, we recommend 2 years of shelf life for still water.
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Purified drinking water is cheap, bacterial-free, and sealed in food-grade containers. Glass, stainless steel, and some plastics are all food-grade. One simple way to store water is to purchase bottled water with a purified drinking water filter at a supermarket, in a gallon plastic jug. In areas with unfit water supply, plastic bottles of purified water are your only source of potable water, for instance.
Bottled water is a convenient way to obtain clean drinking water, but it is important to be aware of the amount of time that you may be able to leave it out in the open before it starts spoiling. If you leave your bottle outside for a long period of time, the water within will evaporate, leaving your bottle empty.
You may not want to drink from a plastic water bottle that has been sitting in a hot car for weeks, but if this bottle has been sitting in a vehicle under more temperate conditions, or has been sitting there for shorter periods, then you probably should not be concerned about the safety of your water. While staying hydrated is important, particularly in warmer months, when you are more likely to become dehydrated due to perspiration, leaving plastic bottles in your vehicle for extended periods of time can lead to contaminating the water inside. It is important to your health and wellbeing that you do what you can to minimize plastic exposure, starting with what kind of water bottles you use for drinking.
Plastic bottles made of PET will leach a very tiny amount of antimony, a heavy metal, at levels below those recommended by the World Health Organization for safe drinking water. A 2014 study found that a warmer than usual storage environment could leach traces of antimony, a heavy metal, from PET bottles over time. A 2008 study conducted by scientists at Arizona State University looked at how heat accelerates antimony releases from a plastic called a polyethylene terephthalate bottle.
Bottles made from PET, which is a form of polyethylene terephthalate, could last two years when covered and stored cool. Polycarbonate bottles can last for five years as long as they are stored in a dark place and are not exposed to extreme temperatures. Given what we have learned thus far, you could store bottles of still water in a car for two years, and bottled sparkling water for a year, as long as you never drive the vehicle, and your garage is kept cool at all times.
The US Food and Drug Administration, which regulates bottled water, does not require that the shelf life is listed, but because plastic degrades over time, particularly when it is hot, we suggest two years for flat water and one year for sparkling water. I recommend canned emergency water, such as this kind found on Amazon, that is specially designed for 50-year shelf life in almost any temperature. Generally speaking, if you drink bottled water fairly soon after buying it, do not subject it to prolonged high heat or store it in too close proximity to any home chemicals, and refrigerate once opened, your bottled water should be completely safe.
Water stored in glass bottles is safe for drinking three months later, provided that it is protected from direct sunlight. This work investigated the effect of temperature changes on drinking water quality stored in plastic bottles. To understand the implications of consuming plastic bottles exposed to heat, it is important to know just how it may impact your health, so that you can make better decisions regarding your water bottle purchases going forward.
Some researchers studying plastics advise against drinking water from plastic bottles that have been sitting in a warm location — like in a car sizzling in the sun — for an extended period, because of concerns that heat could contribute to chemicals leaching into water from the plastic. You can treat clean water using heat, as is done with canned goods, or with chemicals like chlorine or iodine.
Does bacteria grow in open water bottles?
A water container may support the growth of microorganisms, parasites, and even shape due mostly to its moist atmosphere. Bottles with attached straws and tight mouth coverings that have numerous fissures and tiny hiding places required for special cleaning techniques; simply wiping them off again with water is inadequate.
Will mold in my water bottle make you sick?
Yes. This is the key justification for your need to respond quickly. You risk becoming sick if you drink from a mouldy water bottle since you will be ingesting mould. Mold can lead to a variety of issues, such as infections that aren’t clearly explained, respiratory issues, nausea, cramps, and diarrhoea.
How long does bottled water stay good in the heat?
After 38 days, antimony levels in plastic bottles of water stored at 150 degrees Fahrenheit exceeded FDA limits. It is reported by a study published in ScienceDirect in 2007. However, at 167 degrees Fahrenheit, the water reached these temperatures in only five days.