Refilling a Water Bottle

[Spooner]

I often carry around a bottle of water while I'm in the office.

When it runs out, I often refill it with the poland springs water coolers dispersed throughout the office.

I've heard from several people that this is not good for you but no clearcut reason as to why.

Thoughts?

 

[BlackTigers]

I've got...12 refilled water bottles in my fridge right now. I don't see how it could be a problem at all.

 

[Chunkee]

uh, why would it be bad? I have been using the same soda bottle i bought 4 months ago for water...and I take it to the gym...i haven not had any problems..wash it out every now and then.

i tell you..people create more crap

 

[Spooner]

something about bacteria of standing water once oxygen is exposed

i'm not entirely sure hence my question

 

[xanis]

I don't see any reason why it would be bad. They're probably just some of the bottled water fanatics trying to scare you.

 

[ahurtt]

I wouldn't recommend using it for more than about a week before you disinfect it with some soap and hot water just as you would any drinking glass. You never know what little microbes could be growing in there from microscopic food particles in backwash. But other than that I can't see what harm it could possibly cause. Maybe the people in your office got that phony email chain letter that went around about how drinking water from plastic water bottles that were left in your car can cause breast cancer and then over-generalized as ignoramuses often do to say that you shouldn't reuse plastic water bottles at all.

 

[paulxcook]

Just wash it out occasionally. You have an immune system for a reason.

 

[Deleted member 4644]

I personally don't do it. I don't think there is a problem so long as you 1) clean it every week or so 2) get a new one every week or so.

Otherwise I feel there is a very small chance that you could be eating/drinking your own chemistry experiment.

 

[KB]

Do you wash the bottle at least? Its not really dangerous since its your mouth bacteria, but it is just sanitary to use a new bottle each day unless you wash them.

 

[FoBoT]

that is silly superstition
there is no problem putting water back into a water bottle

 

[sswingle]

I have heard claims that there is a layer in the plastic of the bottle that starts to break down and get in the water when you refil it. I say screw it and refill anyways. Just a scam to get you to buy more.

 

[Zoblefu]

I've heard (possibly BS) that the plastic used for those bottles can slowly "come off" into the water as it is filled, refilled, washed, refilled, etc, since they were not made specifically for that purpose the plastic can be of lower quality to make the bottles cheaper.

No idea if it's true or not, but that's the reason I had heard about not re-using water bottles.

 

[GasX]

Originally posted by: ScottSwingleComputers
I have heard claims that there is a layer in the plastic of the bottle that starts to break down and get in the water when you refil it. I say screw it and refill anyways. Just a scam to get you to buy more.

wanna buy a bridge?

It is purely a hygeine issue.

 

[Spooner]

I will say that I do replace them at least weekly, if not more but I do not wash them in between fills

 

[Chunkee]

well...if you guys want to talk on that level of panic...then you must refrain from using anything in this man made world....period....it all can kill you and cause you harm

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: Zoblefu
I've heard (possibly BS) that the plastic used for those bottles can slowly "come off" into the water as it is filled, refilled, washed, refilled, etc, since they were not made specifically for that purpose the plastic can be of lower quality to make the bottles cheaper.

No idea if it's true or not, but that's the reason I had heard about not re-using water bottles.

I have a feeling that if this was true and it was harmful, someone would've sued someone else by now. There are no warnings on the bottles to not reuse them. At least none that I've noticed.

 

[ahurtt]

Maybe people are just under the impression that you are refilling it from the toilet due to your chronic halitosis. Some Scope or Listerine and some dental floss should solve your problem.

 

[Nitemare]

wash it out with bleach every now and then to kill the bad stuff and you should be good to go

 

[ahurtt]

Urban Myth.

Please stop perpetuating this utterly stupid belief. My God, it is amazing what some people will believe or go along with just because they are afraid of somebody else thinking they are misinformed. . .

/thread

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: ahurtt
Urban Myth.

Please stop perpetuating this utterly stupid belief. My God, it is amazing what some people will believe or go along with just because they are afraid of somebody else thinking they are misinformed. . .

/thread

LOL. Old bottled water gave Sheryl Crow breast cancer!

 

[JulesMaximus]

As long as you wash it every day or so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[jonks]

http://www.plasticsinfo.org/s_...asp?CID=705&DID=2839#1

When consumers choose to refill and reuse convenience-size plastic bottles, should they be concerned about potentially harmful bacteria?

Not if they clean their plastic bottles between uses just as they would other drinking containers. Plastics are by nature extremely sanitary materials, and plastic bottles are no more likely to harbor bacteria than other kinds of packaging or drinking containers. Bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments. Once bacteria have been introduced, virtually any drinking container (coffee mugs, drinking glasses, serving pitchers, etc.) becomes a suitable environment for bacterial growth.

Consumers should clean any drinking container with hot soapy water and dry thoroughly between uses. Bottles specifically designed for extended reuse are often made with wide openings that allow consumers to use cleaning instruments and easily dry them.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Just wash it out occasionally. You have an immune system for a reason.

Not only that, but some studies have shown that it's GOOD to get bad bacteria in your system on a regular basis. (within reason) It allows your system to build a stronger resistance to more strains of bacteria.

Antibacterial soap can be dangerous because it kills all of the bad bacteria. Once your system is exposed to something new, it's not in the best shape to fight and adapt, so you end up taking longer to destroy the new bacteria.

 

[paulxcook]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Just wash it out occasionally. You have an immune system for a reason.

Not only that, but some studies have shown that it's GOOD to get bad bacteria in your system on a regular basis. (within reason) It allows your system to build a stronger resistance to more strains of bacteria.

Antibacterial soap can be dangerous because it kills all of the bad bacteria. Once your system is exposed to something new, it's not in the best shape to fight and adapt, so you end up taking longer to destroy the new bacteria.

This is why I adhere to the 5 second rule. It's for health reasons.

 

[ahurtt]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: paulxcook
Just wash it out occasionally. You have an immune system for a reason.

Not only that, but some studies have shown that it's GOOD to get bad bacteria in your system on a regular basis. (within reason) It allows your system to build a stronger resistance to more strains of bacteria.

Antibacterial soap can be dangerous because it kills all of the bad bacteria. Once your system is exposed to something new, it's not in the best shape to fight and adapt, so you end up taking longer to destroy the new bacteria.

Don't worry, just about everything else you touch on a daily basis is probably covered in bacteria. You're getting PLENTY of exposure. The world is a filthy place. Just wash your bottle. I don't know about you but I'm 34 years old. I think I've been exposed to whatever I'm going to be exposed to by now.