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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Long-term Effects Of Drinking Water Exposed To Direct Sunlight?

I accidentally drank from a water bottle that had been sitting for a few days in direct sunlight next to a window. I was drinking and then I noticed that the water was burning my throat and tasted strange. I tried to spit out as much as I could, but I know I ingested some. I then read that when exposed to heat, plastic bottles can release chemicals into the water they contain. Should I be worried about any long term effects? Thanks -Jamison
Wed, 3 Sep 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,

Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns.






Polycarbonate (recycling code of 7 )has been commonly used to make the sturdy reusable water bottles that many of us use.
Polycarbonate is made of a monomer called bisphenol A (BPA). As the plastic breaks down over time, BPA is released into the water held in polycarbonate bottles, particularly when the bottle is heated (as on exposure to direct sunlight for a number of days as in your case) or repeatedly washed.
Research in animals has found BPA can cause a range of conditions — such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and reproductive and developmental disorders.
But there's nothing much in the way of identified effects in humans .
The best bottles to use and reuse are those with the recycling codes 2, 4 and 5. 2 and 4 are made from polyethylene and 5 is made from polypropylene.
Check that reusable bottles say they are 'BPA-free',

Regards

Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D.
Mumbai
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What Are The Long-term Effects Of Drinking Water Exposed To Direct Sunlight?

Hi, Thank you for your query. I can understand your concerns. Polycarbonate (recycling code of 7 )has been commonly used to make the sturdy reusable water bottles that many of us use. Polycarbonate is made of a monomer called bisphenol A (BPA). As the plastic breaks down over time, BPA is released into the water held in polycarbonate bottles, particularly when the bottle is heated (as on exposure to direct sunlight for a number of days as in your case) or repeatedly washed. Research in animals has found BPA can cause a range of conditions — such as cancer, diabetes, obesity and reproductive and developmental disorders. But there s nothing much in the way of identified effects in humans . The best bottles to use and reuse are those with the recycling codes 2, 4 and 5. 2 and 4 are made from polyethylene and 5 is made from polypropylene. Check that reusable bottles say they are BPA-free , Regards Dr. T.K. Biswas M.D. Mumbai