Drinking water exposed to sunlight for hours

Drinking water exposed to sunlight for hours (as shown in the photograph) is a regular site near a hypermarket, on Jamal Abdul Nasser Street, Sharjah.

Many disposable plastic water bottles contain a chemical known as bisphenol A (BPA). This chemical has been proven to reduce sperm count and increase the risk of breast cancer. When plastic is heated, it releases its chemical composition into the immediate environment. Such is the problem with water bottles left out in the sun for an extended period of time. The heated plastic leaches the BPA into the water, increasing the consumer’s exposure to it significantly.

Many environmental specialists recommend that if you are going to consume bottled water, do not store it in direct sunlight or in a heated environment. If at all possible, it is best to forgo bottled water all together and use a BPA-free container such as stainless steel.

The reader is a based in Sharjah.

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