Scientists have revealed a new risk of drinking from plastic water bottles, especially on a hot, sunny day.Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, according to an industry analysis by Grand View Research. Many of these consumers opt for bottled water as a 'safer' alternative to tap water on the basis that it has fewer contaminants. However, this is highly dependent on the quality of your local drinking water.
Among these many chemicals was the highly toxic cancer-causing n-Hexadecane, along with several other known carcinogens.'Our findings provide compelling evidence that plastic bottles, when exposed to sunlight, can release toxic compounds that pose health risks,' lead researcher Huase Ou said in a statement. 'Consumers need to be aware of these risks, especially in environments where bottled water is exposed to sunlight for prolonged periods.