Bryan Totten, an assistant professor of chemistry at the University of Texas, stated that the temperature inside cars can easily reach 140–170 degrees Fahrenheit, which is enough to start the breakdown of plastic and allow its particles to enter the water. Totten explained that the plastic used in bottles is like strands of spaghetti; when heated, it becomes more prone to disintegration, increasing the risk of ingesting microplastic particles, according to American media sources.
He pointed out that these particles, which are smaller than 5 millimeters, have been linked to harmful health effects, including high blood pressure when they enter the bloodstream. Research has also shown that water bottles made from ‘PET’ material release toxic substances such as ‘antimony’ and ‘bisphenol’ when exposed to heat, increasing the risk of chronic diseases and various health disorders.
Recent studies have also indicated the presence of hundreds of thousands of microplastic particles in one liter of bottled water, which can penetrate blood and brain cells, causing hormonal disturbances and deadly diseases.
