The dangers of water bottles in the car during summer

It is quite common to keep a water bottle in the car, especially in summer. It is hot, and staying hydrated is very important to stay alert while driving and avoid health problems. But this, which seems such an everyday thing and free of risk, actually presents several dangers. We are going to show you the risks of keeping a water bottle in the car during summer, although this does not mean it should not be kept there, but rather that it must be done while taking the necessary precautions.

To begin with, we need to let go of that old myth which says that the sun wears down plastic and causes microplastics to dissolve into the water. This is not true. Plastic containers made with PVC could release microscopic residues, but at temperatures above 200ºC, which does not happen with the temperature that builds up in a car.

Even if molecules of bisphenol A, a substance used in the manufacture of containers, were released, the amount that comes into contact with the human body is too small to represent a risk. So let us forget this and focus on the situations that do pose a risk.

This is what makes water bottles a danger in the car

What is clear is that hot water does not feel good. Leaving a water bottle in the car means it is in an enclosed space, without ventilation, and the temperature rises considerably. The water in the bottle can reach 80ºC, so drinking water at that temperature can affect health. Another problem is that, at those temperatures, although not so high, microorganisms grow more quickly.

This means that if a microorganism comes into contact with the water, it can reproduce very quickly and cause some kind of illness. Water is a very important culture medium for bacteria and other microorganisms, and it is even more so at a certain temperature.

Another risk, although a minor one, is that the water bottle could start a fire. Yes, this can happen and it is a real risk. It can only happen under certain conditions. What is real is that the glass of a bottle can act as a magnifying glass and concentrate sunlight onto a single point. This increases the temperature and can cause a flammable element, such as the upholstery, to catch fire.

In the case of a plastic bottle, this happens if it contains water, causing it to act in the same way. It is also true that the sun must strike at a specific angle, the bottle must have rounded shapes and contain water. In this way, it can cause the beam of light to reach 400ºC and a fire to start.

Finally, a loose water bottle can be thrown forward in a sudden deceleration. This can cause the impact to be equivalent to that of an object weighing around 60 kg. A risk that must be avoided by always keeping the bottle in a place where it is not loose in the cabin.

Knowing this, you should keep your water bottle in a place where the sun does not reach it, replace it every so often and, above all, keep it in a safe place.