Drinking Water from Plastic Bottles: Unhealthy or Harmless?

Many of us still drink our water from plastic bottles, but is that actually unhealthy? In our article, you will find all the important information.

Water from plastic bottles – really harmless?

Plastic not only harms the environment but is also not undisputed in terms of health. Plastic can have negative effects on the body.

• Although there have been increasing reports of estrogenic substances in plastic bottles in recent years, according to the statement from 2011, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment has not found any evidence of this. Nevertheless, there is a need for further research and health risk cannot be completely ruled out.
• Certain plasticizers are used to manufacture PET bottles, such as bisphenol A (BPA). These substances can escape from the bottle and get into the drinking water, which we then drink.
• In addition, water from plastic bottles often does not taste as good as tap water. The water often tastes a little sweet. Then it is very likely that acetaldehyde, which is in the PET, got into the water.
• However, the current state of research says that drinking from plastic bottles is not associated with any health risks. This is because the concentration of the substances that can possibly get into the water is too low to have any health consequences.

Microplastics in plastic bottles

Plastic bottles contain, among other things, small particles of plastic or polymers called microplastics. Here, too, the health consequences are controversial.

• Plastic and PET bottles contain, among other things, microplastics that can get into our bodies when we drink them. In addition to the possible health consequences for the body, microplastics are not biodegradable and cause enormous damage to the environment.
• Researchers from the University of Münster examined 38 different mineral water bottles and found traces of microplastics in all of them. Significantly more residues of microplastics were found in reusable bottles than in single-use bottles.
• The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) writes that particles smaller than 1 millimeter are excreted through the intestines. It is not yet clear whether even smaller particles can get into the bloodstream and organism.
• Whether microplastics harm our body has not yet been fully clarified. The BfR says that there is not yet enough reliable data on the consumption of microplastics and a risk assessment is therefore not possible.
• Irrespective of the health reasons, however, it is generally recommended in this country to drink tap water.
• It is not only cheaper but also more environmentally friendly. Not only the packaging is saved, but also the transport costs and disposal. According to the study “Ecobalance drinking water – mineral water”, tap water is up to 1000 times more environmentally friendly than mineral water.
• In addition, the body does not necessarily need the minerals contained in purchased water, since tap water also contains minerals. According to the consumer advice center, tap water is of high quality throughout Germany.