Danger in Reusing Water Bottles

galway | environment | news report Sunday September 07, 2003 23:53 by Orla Ni Chomhrai nichomhrai at eircom dot net

This is a report from the states so may not be revevant here, but better safe than sorry.

from THE BRIDGE - newsletter of Rogue Valley Medical Center and Three Rivers Community Hospital Some of you may be in the habit of using and re-using your disposable water bottles, keeping them in your car or at work. Our Infection Control staff confirms
what we've read in several articles-this is not a good idea.

The plastic used in these bottles contains a potentially dangerous carcinogenic element (DHEA). The bottles are safe for one use only. If you must keep them longer, it should be for no more than a few days and keep them away from heat. Repeated washing and rinsing can cause the plastic to break down, and the carcinogens can leach into the water that you are
drinking. In addition, a study of water bottles, authored by Cathy Ryan of the Univ. of Calgary, found bacteria in elementary school children's bottles that would prompt health officials to issue boil-water advisories, had
the samples come from a tap. The researchers
discovered bacterial contamination in about a third of the samples collected. It is better to invest in water bottles that are meant for multiple uses.

http://listserv.nodak.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A2=ind0308c&L=co-cure&F=&S=&P=2786