Water Bottles

There is conflicting information available regarding the safety of plastic water bottles.

The concerns mainly relate to possible cancer causing chemicals that occur when the plastic degenerates after prolonged use. Bottles that are intended to be disposable but that are instead reused seem to be the prime area of concern.

Other articles discuss evidence that they can be a cause of bacterial infection due to bottles being refilled without being thoroughly washed and after having been left in sports bags for long periods.

The best advice seems to be:

• Do not reuse disposable bottles.
• Use good quality plastic bottles intended for reuse.
• Wash bottles thoroughly between uses.
• Do not use a bottle that has been left with dirty sports equipment without first cleaning it thoroughly.
• Replace worn bottles regularly.