What heat does to plastic water bottles.

As the hot Texas summer approaches, you may be like me. There’s always bottled water in my car. I was convinced that on the scale of safe water, the bottled variety was at the top and tap water was at the bottom. Now, based on my research I may have to flip those two.

To my chagrin, it’s not only the water that may be bad. It’s the plastic container that holds the water.

In heat, the plastic breaks down into harmful particles called microplastics and nanoplastics. Both of these can harm your body in different ways, scientists say.

This isn’t about PFAS — or “forever chemicals” — found in many products and tap water, a subject I’ve previously reported on.
This is about those water bottles, left in the sun, exposed to heat and refilled.

You know how your doctors tell you to drink lots of water every day? Maybe not.

Medical studies, many involving animals, are ongoing and filled with uncertainty. Some scientists believe that when used bottles break down, they can lead to heart attacks, strokes and even death.

Studies or not, I no longer will refill bottles.

I’m also more aware of storing food in plastic containers. I’m glad that in our household, Karen has established a no-plastics-in-microwave rule. Glass containers are ideal.

Microplastic particles can be found in air, water, food and soil.

Use glass containers whenever possible. It’s almost impossible to eliminate them entirely because plastics are so pervasive. 

The Environmental Working Group recommends ditching single-use bottles and replacing them with glass or stainless steel bottles.

Store water in the refrigerator since heat degrades plastic. 

Transporting water on a hot day? Use an ice chest. And here’s the recommendation that most surprised me.

Run the tap water if it hasn’t been used in several hours before plunging in.

Store the filtered water in the fridge, if possible.

If you’re confused because some experts say switch to tap water while others say drink bottled water, Welcome to The Watchdog Water Club, where confusion is the norm.

Note: In a recent column I shared Consumer Reports’ research on best filters. Here it is again.

The first in each list are ranked as the highest rated. Prices shown are estimates. Shop for the lowest prices.
•    Under sink filters: GE Under Sink (from $129); Multipure Aquaversa MP75o (from $620); Culligan US-EZ-4 (from $76).
•    Countertop filters: Home Master TMJRF2 (from $80); Apex MR 1050 (from $85).
•    Water pitcher filters: Brita Denali with Elite Filter (from $31); Culligan Zero Water ZD-012-RP (from $40); Brita Tahoe (from $42).
•    Faucet-mounted filters: ZeroWater Extremelife ZFM (from $45); Pur FM-3333B (from $26).