Reuse of plastic bottles

Just got this in email so forwarding for your view and comments. I don’t know how accurate is the information.

Many are unaware of poisoning caused by re-using plastic bottles. Some of you may be in the habit of using and re-using your disposable mineral water bottles (e.g. Nestle, Bisleri, Aquafina, Kinley, Evian,etc…), keeping them in your car or at work. Not a good idea. It happened in Dubai, when a 12 year old girl died after a long usage (16 months) of SAFA mineral water bottle, as she used to carry the same fancy (painted by herself) bottle to her school daily. In a nutshell, the plastic (called polyethylene terephthalate or PET) used in these bottles contains a potentially carcinogenic element (something called diethylhydroxylamine or DEHA).

The bottles are safe for one-time use only; if you must keep them longer, it should be or no more than a few days, week max, and keep them away from heat as

well. Repeated washing and rinsing can cause the plastic to break down and the carcinogens (cancer-causing chemical agents) can leak into the water that YOU are

drinking.

Better to invest in water bottles that are really meant for multiple uses. This is not something we should be scrimping on. Those of you with family - do please advise them, especially children. Please forward this information

I read the same thing about reusing water bottles. Its said that if you are going to reuse bottles than you should wash them often b/c over time cracks develop and bacteria can grow. The generally life of a bottle shouldnt be longer than 3 months I believe (with proper cleaning of course).