Check The Label On The Bottom Of A Water Bottle To Know If It's Safe

Did you know that the water bottle you drink out of can be made out of several different types of plastic? It may be surprising, but the type of plastic your water bottle is made of can mean a lot when it comes to the types of chemicals they release into your body. 
Let's take a look at the various types of plastics that are used to make water bottles and store food. 
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When you buy a water bottle, you probably don't pay close attention to the type of plastic that it's made out of. 

This can be surprisingly important for your health, though. 

If you take a look at the bottom of your bottle, you will be able to see a label with the recycling symbol and a number or some letters.

Let's see what they all mean.

PET or PETE plastic is the most commonly used type of plastic used in consumer products. PET plastic products are designed to be used one time and not kept for repeated uses.

The reason? Leaching. Leaching is essentially the transfer of chemicals from a solid to a liquid. Yep, that means chemicals from the plastic are transferred from your water bottle to the water inside of it. 

I know, right?

Let's take a look at what is leaching into our water...

Studies have proposed that PET plastic may leach phthalates as well as antimony, a metalloid. 

This sounds bad, and it kind of is. One study suggests that the leaching of these substances may interfere with endocrine (hormonal) functioning. 

I'll definitely be looking out for that one on my water bottle from now on...

Or at least only use it once.

Another type of plastic used to make water bottles is HDPE. 

Some people have suggested that bottles made of HDPE plastic are preferable when it comes to drinking water as it may release less chemicals into the water itself. 

I'll definitely be looking out for HDPE. 

Let's go through a few other types of plastics often used in food packaging. PVC, labelled "3," is a soft flexible plastic. 

PVC is found in plastic wrapping, as well as cooking oil bottles and your child's toys. This type of plastic does release chemicals into your body, and therefore, experts warn against using PVC when possible. 

LDPE is used in grocery store bags, plastic wrap, and garbage bags. 

You won't have to worry about LDPE for drinking water, but do recycle it when finished. 

Last, but not least, we have PP plastic, which is commonly used in ice cream, yogurt containers, drinking straws, and diapers.

This plastic is safe, but be sure to recycle it when finished. 
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