Seriously, stop using plastic bottles for storage!
Many older adults have this habit: whether it’s a soda bottle or a mineral water bottle, they wash it, remove the label, and use it for storage. For example, small bottles are used for condiments like soy sauce and vinegar, while larger ones are used for rice, flour, grains, oil, and more.
Walking into many older adults’ kitchens, you can see numerous such examples of “repurposed” plastic bottles.
This might seem like an environmentally friendly and thrifty practice, but what many people don’t know is that using plastic bottles for food storage over the long term poses significant health risks.
01
Why is it not recommended to reuse soda bottles and mineral water bottles?
In our daily lives, plastic products are practically everywhere. From small bottles and containers to furniture and building materials, if you take a quick look around, you’ll easily find more than ten types of plastic items. Although they are all plastics, there are differences among them.
On plastic products, you can usually find a triangular arrow symbol with a number ranging from 1 to 7 inside, representing the type of resin used.
Different grades of plastic products have different characteristics and applications. Most of the plastic items we encounter daily are made from No. 1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate), which is not designed for reuse. Examples include the soda bottles, mineral water bottles, and various disposable packaging bags, boxes, and seals that older adults often reuse.
PET is lightweight, odorless, chemically stable, and has strong gas barrier properties, making it suitable for direct food packaging. It is the most widely used material for beverage packaging.
PET plastic products on the market, as long as they comply with national standards and are used under appropriate storage conditions and within the recommended shelf life, have migration levels of harmful substances below the safety threshold, posing no health risks.
However, it’s important to note that reusing these bottles, changing what they contain, or storing them under unsuitable conditions can make otherwise safe plastic bottles unsafe.
Changing the contents may pose safety risks
Soda bottles and mineral water bottles are designed and produced primarily for liquids like water, carbonated drinks, juice, and tea. Using them to store other liquids may accelerate the release of toxic substances due to changes in the liquid’s properties.
For example, using a soda bottle to store vinegar, which has a lower pH, may increase the migration of harmful substances.
A study found that when PET plastic bottles were used to store 4% acetic acid, 10% ethanol, and 20% ethanol, the migration of antimony (a harmful substance) was significantly higher in the bottle containing acetic acid.
High temperatures can make plastic bottles unsafe
PET is not heat-resistant and should not be used to store food or hot water exceeding 70°C (158°F). If used to hold hot food, it can deform and release harmful substances that pose health risks.
Some people use soda or mineral water bottles to store cooking oil and place them near stoves, which is highly discouraged. High temperatures can drastically increase the migration and diffusion of harmful substances from the bottles, leading to health risks.
Plastic bottles can degrade, posing health risks
Bottled water and beverages have an expiration date, which not only indicates the limit for preserving the drink’s flavor and quality but also the shelf life of the plastic bottle itself. PET can degrade over time with prolonged use, leading to increased migration of harmful substances.
Some older adults use plastic soda bottles to store foods like rice, millet, red beans, and condiments for half a year or even several years without replacing them.
Moreover, if these bottles are placed near stoves, the risks are significantly multiplied.
02
How harmful are the migrating substances to the human body?
The harmful substances that migrate from PET plastic bottles, such as soda and mineral water bottles, can be broadly divided into two categories:
Metal catalysts like “antimony” used in the manufacturing process
Antimony is biologically toxic and can enter the human body through the skin or digestive tract, causing damage to organs such as the skin, heart, liver, and kidneys.
Although small doses of antimony may not have obvious effects on humans, it can accumulate in the body. Long-term chronic intake can cause irreversible damage to various organs and systems.
Other organic compounds
To enhance the durability and strength of PET, plasticizers such as phthalates (PAEs) are often added during production.
These plasticizers can disrupt the human endocrine system and increase cancer risks, posing potential health hazards. It’s best to minimize exposure to them.
03
How to use plastic products correctly?
Plastics are almost irreplaceable in our daily lives. In addition to common soda and mineral water bottles, people often buy plastic storage containers for food.
Different types of plastics have different considerations when used for food storage. To ensure safety and avoid health risks, it’s important to follow the usage instructions, such as temperature limits, types of contents, and whether the product is reusable.
Plastic products usually have a triangular arrow symbol with a number inside indicating the type of material.
Besides “No. 1 PET,” we’ve compiled information on other common types of plastics and their usage注意事项 for reference:
No. 2 HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
HDPE has slightly higher heat resistance and can withstand temperatures up to 110°C (230°F). It is used not only for plastic bags and buckets but also for building materials like pipes, doors, windows, fiber products, hollow containers, films, and injection-molded products.
HDPE can also release harmful substances over time, so it is not recommended for food storage.
No. 3 PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride)
PVC comes in rigid and flexible forms and is commonly used for everyday items like plastic gloves, plastic sheets, and household bottles.
Note that some low-quality plastic wraps are made from PVC, which is not suitable for high-temperature heating.
No. 4 LDPE (Low-Density Polyethylene)
LDPE is commonly used for plastic wrap and sealable bags. It can withstand temperatures up to about 90°C (194°F) but may release harmful substances if exposed to temperatures above 110°C (230°F). It is not recommended for storing hot food.
No. 5 PP (Polypropylene)
If you prefer using plastic containers for food storage, you can specifically purchase PP plastic containers that meet standards.
PP plastic is used for microwave-safe meal containers and baby bottles, as it can withstand high temperatures and is suitable for storing hot water and food. PP is the only plastic material that is microwave-safe.
Note: Some microwave-safe containers have a body made of No. 5 PP but a lid made of non-microwave-safe material. Always remove the lid before heating to avoid the release of harmful substances.
No. 6 PS (Polystyrene)
PS is primarily used in disposable tableware, biscuit boxes, stationery, etc. It has poor heat resistance and is not recommended for storing hot food or for reuse.
No. 7 PC (Polycarbonate)
PC can be used to make reusable water bottles, baby bottles, and everyday items like water buckets and luggage.
PC material is acid-resistant but not resistant to oil, ultraviolet light, or strong bases. It is not microwave-safe and is unsuitable for storing kitchen condiments.
