Don’t drink it anymore! Water bottles left in cars could slowly kill you

Recent scientific research has revealed that water stored in plastic bottles exposed to high temperatures—such as when left inside cars during summer—can become a serious health hazard due to the gradual release of toxic substances.

According to the British Daily Mail, around 80% of bottled water already contains microplastic particles and harmful chemicals believed to contribute to diseases such as cancer, fertility problems, and developmental delays in children.

Studies show that heat exposure significantly increases the risk. In an experiment conducted by Nanjing University in China, plastic water bottles were subjected to 70°C for four weeks, after which they began releasing toxic substances, most notably antimony and bisphenol A (BPA)—compounds directly linked to serious health issues, including heart disease and cancer.

In Canada, a research team found that four common types of plastic release dangerous nanoparticles at just 37°C, a relatively mild temperature, raising concerns about the safety of plastic even under normal daily conditions.

Another recent study showed that a single plastic water bottle can contain up to 240,000 plastic nanoparticles. These particles are capable of penetrating sensitive systems in the body, such as the brain and bloodstream, carrying with them toxic chemicals like phthalates—substances associated with numerous health problems ranging from infertility, birth defects, asthma, and cognitive decline to serious diseases such as cancer and dementia.