Stuff I wrote for my college campus newspaper - 24

Gradual Poisoning

By Sanket Kambli

Many are unaware of poisoning caused by re-using plastic bottles. Some of you may be in the habit of using and re-using your disposable mineral water bottles (e.g. Bisleri, Aquafina, Kinley, Evian, etc...), keeping them in your car or at college. It’s not a good idea. In a nutshell, the plastic (called Polyethylene terephthalate or PET) used in these bottles contains a potentially carcinogenic element (something called diethyl hydroxylamine or DEHA). The bottles are safe for one-time use only; if you must keep them longer, it should be or no more than a few days, week maximum, and keep them away from heat as well. Repeated washing and rinsing can cause the plastic to break down and the Carcinogens (cancer-causing chemical agents) can leak into the water that you are drinking. Better to invest in water bottles that are really meant for multiple uses. This is not something we should be scrimping on. Advise the members of your family about this threat, especially kids, take care.