July 2003

PRESS RELEASE

Ocean County Health Department            Contact: Edward Rumen

P. O. Box 2191                                          Asst. Public Information Officer

Toms River, NJ 08754-2191                    (732) 341-9700, Ext. 7284

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                DATE: July 25, 2003

REFILLING AND REUSING PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES

CAN PRESENT HEALTH RISKS

It seems that everyone, especially in the summer, is constantly carrying a water bottle and a lot of us refill them. Joseph Przywara, Public Health Coordinator of the Ocean County Health Department, cautions consumers that refilling those plastic bottles may not be a safe thing to do.

“Plastic water bottles should be used only once, especially in summer,” Przywara said, “as heat causes bacteria to grow.”

Most bottled water sold in convenience stores or supermarkets is packaged in clear plastic containers made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which, while considered safe for its intended one-time use, was found to break down over time.

“Although we all like to save some money, PET plastic water bottles should be recycled after initial use and not refilled with tap water,” Przywara said. “The plastic was designed to breakdown. It was manufactured to serve a limited purpose and then be recycled.” He added that the kind of thorough cleaning that is necessary to kill bacteria might make the bottles unsafe in another way.

“Frequent washing might accelerate the breakdown of the plastic,” he noted, “and could actually increase health risks by allowing chemicals from the plastic to leach into the tap water.”

According to preliminary research conducted at the University of Idaho, one of the toxins that frequently appeared in water samples from reused water bottles was DEHA (diethylhydroxylamine) a carcinogen regulated in drinking water because it has been found to cause weight loss, liver problems, or possible reproductive difficulties.

Przywara stated that there is another “Catch 22” with reusing plastic water bottles. If you do not properly sanitize a water bottle before refilling it, other health risks are possible.

Another study tracked elementary school pupils reusing water bottles to reduce water fountain trips. Results showed that 65 percent of the samples taken from the water bottles did not meet the standards for acceptable drinking water because they contained high levels of heterotrophic bacteria, capable of causing gastrointestinal illness and pneumonia. The bacteria thrive in water sitting at room temperature for an extended length of time.

An additional and unexpected public health issue also was included in the study. More than 9 percent of the bottles used by the elementary schoolchildren were found to be contaminated with fecal coliform. The fecal coliform contamination was thought to be a result of poor personal hygiene by the children, as water samples taken at the water fountains in the school were not contaminated.

      Laboratory tests also have shown that reused water bottles can harbor unhealthy counts of other, non-coliform bacteria, mold and yeast. A bacteria cell can regenerate every 20 minutes. An unsanitary water bottle left unattended in an automobile, on a bicycle holder, or in the summer outdoors on a park bench during a lunch hour is capable of supporting a growth cycle that could pose more than an unfortunate stomach ache for its user. Testing showed, that had the school water samples come directly from the tap and not from the reused water bottles, public health officials would have had to issue boil-water advisories, prior to a person drinking it.

       The International Bottled Water Association said that water bottles are intended for single-use only. It said that bottles are not made for high temperature cleaning, and recommends they be recycled when empty, not reused.

      “To stay healthy, drink plenty of water, but make sure your container is hygienically clean,” Przywara said.

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	PRESS RELEASE Ocean County Health Department Contact: Edward Rumen P. O. Box 2191 Asst. Public Information Officer Toms River, NJ 08754-2191 (732) 341-9700, Ext. 7284 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: July 25, 2003 REFILLING AND REUSING PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES CAN PRESENT HEALTH RISKS It seems that everyone, especially in the summer, is constantly carrying a water bottle and a lot of us refill them. Joseph Przywara, Public Health Coordinator of the Ocean County Health Department, cautions consumers that refilling those plastic bottles may not be a safe thing to do. “Plastic water bottles should be used only once, especially in summer,” Przywara said, “as heat causes bacteria to grow.” Most bottled water sold in convenience stores or supermarkets is packaged in clear plastic containers made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which, while considered safe for its intended one-time use, was found to break down over time. “Although we all like to save some money, PET plastic water bottles should be recycled after initial use and not refilled with tap water,” Przywara said. “The plastic was designed to breakdown. It was manufactured to serve a limited purpose and then be recycled.” He added that the kind of thorough cleaning that is necessary to kill bacteria might make the bottles unsafe in another way. “Frequent washing might accelerate the breakdown of the plastic,” he noted, “and could actually increase health risks by allowing chemicals from the plastic to leach into the tap water.” According to preliminary research conducted at the University of Idaho, one of the toxins that frequently appeared in water samples from reused water bottles was DEHA (diethylhydroxylamine) a carcinogen regulated in drinking water because it has been found to cause weight loss, liver problems, or possible reproductive difficulties. Przywara stated that there is another “Catch 22” with reusing plastic water bottles. If you do not properly sanitize a water bottle before refilling it, other health risks are possible. Another study tracked elementary school pupils reusing water bottles to reduce water fountain trips. Results showed that 65 percent of the samples taken from the water bottles did not meet the standards for acceptable drinking water because they contained high levels of heterotrophic bacteria, capable of causing gastrointestinal illness and pneumonia. The bacteria thrive in water sitting at room temperature for an extended length of time. An additional and unexpected public health issue also was included in the study. More than 9 percent of the bottles used by the elementary schoolchildren were found to be contaminated with fecal coliform. The fecal coliform contamination was thought to be a result of poor personal hygiene by the children, as water samples taken at the water fountains in the school were not contaminated. Laboratory tests also have shown that reused water bottles can harbor unhealthy counts of other, non-coliform bacteria, mold and yeast. A bacteria cell can regenerate every 20 minutes. An unsanitary water bottle left unattended in an automobile, on a bicycle holder, or in the summer outdoors on a park bench during a lunch hour is capable of supporting a growth cycle that could pose more than an unfortunate stomach ache for its user. Testing showed, that had the school water samples come directly from the tap and not from the reused water bottles, public health officials would have had to issue boil-water advisories, prior to a person drinking it. The International Bottled Water Association said that water bottles are intended for single-use only. It said that bottles are not made for high temperature cleaning, and recommends they be recycled when empty, not reused. “To stay healthy, drink plenty of water, but make sure your container is hygienically clean,” Przywara said.

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