Bottled water goes bad

Question

This article claims that bottle water can expire more specifically the container can contaminate the water over the years. The article cites  https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/exposed-to-extreme-heat-plastic-bottles-may-become-unsafe-over-time https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-plastic-a-threat-to-your-health

Other articles include 

​​https://www.eternalwater.com/blogs/news/will-your-bottled-water-go-bad-or-expire-lets-explore?srsltid=AfmBOoqYlOyiu6NRkgpxLNA1oYOLXKzAc-z3B3IYIK6khpSWyve3tOiC

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-water-expire

Comments

Most bottled water has a expiration date from 1-2 years span. Once the bottled is open it could go bad after a couple of days but if stay closed its good until the expiration date depending on it being stored somewhere

Answer 1

It is true that over time the quality of the plastics in the water bottle itself can degrade and leak into the water, while the water itself does not go bad, the bottle itself can effect the quality of the water over time. A notable source that proves this claim was in a story published by the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A. It was found that polyethylene terephthalate, which is found in plastic water bottles, can release chemicals like antimony and phthalates into the water over time.

Comments

This is a great fact check! It made it easier for me to understand how the point from before is technically correct, but slightly misleading, since the water itself isn't technically going bad. Your source is strong and I like how you explained it.

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Great answer to the claim! The distinction you provided with the backup source was compelling. I would only ask if you could include the link to the story you mentioned in it for ease of access to check your answer. OVerall a very strong answer to the claim.

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This is good fact check but you don't provide any evidence that the source was notable, just saying it was.

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This fact-check is excellent! Because the water itself isn't technically going bad, it made it easier for me to see how the previous argument is technically right but a little deceptive. I like your explanation, and your source is reliable.

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This is a really good fact check, and made it very clear to me as a reader about this claim. To make it stronger you could add how the source is notable/reputable and the qualifications they have.

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You're correct that plastic water bottles can affect water quality over time. Research, like that published in Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A, confirms that polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles may release chemicals such as antimony and phthalates when exposed to heat, UV light, or after prolonged storage. While the water itself doesn't "go bad," the bottle's material can leach these compounds, potentially impacting taste and safety under certain conditions.

Answer 2

This claim is true. When exposed to heat or sunlight the water doesn't go bad but the plastic can degrade into the water which causes health risks. Properly storing water bottles will keep this from happening.

Comments

I agree that the claim about bottled water is valid but can sometimes be exaggerated. The article correctly points out that while water itself doesn’t spoil, the plastic bottles can affect its safety over time. When water is stored in plastic bottles for extended periods, especially in warm conditions, chemicals from the plastic can leach into the water. This is a concern that is supported by multiple sources, including health departments and water safety organizations.

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This is a straight forward response to the claim. However, it could be a lot stronger if you added your source that you received this information from!

Answer 3

This claim is true but over-exaggerated. The article states that the water itself does not go bad, but the plastic it is being stored in does have a shelf life. When water has been stored in plastic bottles for too long, the chemicals in the plastic will begin to leech into the water. When plastic water bottles are left in the sun, it can make the plastic degrade more quickly.  The article states that bottled water typically has a shelf life of 2 years, when stored properly.

The article states that if you buy BPA-free water bottles, you can limit the risk of toxic chemicals in your water.

Other sources confirm this claim including, the department of health, water boy, and Etheral water 

Comments

Your sources linked are very compelling, and I agree with your line of reasoning. I agree that the original claim of "bottled water going bad" is overstated, with the reality being that the bottles are what actually deteriorate. The added note about BPA-free bottles is a nice touch.

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I agree with you and like that you linked information from the Minnesota Department of Health. I wonder if the blog article from Etheral Water is a trusted site since they are a bottled water brand and could have bias in claiming it doesn't expire.

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I really appreciate the approach you took in answering this claim. While it is true you stated that it's exaggerated also, helping us understand further. I wonder if we will ever move past bottled water in plastic containers as those not only go bad from sunlight, but they also add to the plastic problem we have in society.

Answer 4

This claim does have evidence to back it up. It may be slightly misleading stating flat out that bottled water goes bad as it may make the impression that water in general goes bad, but overtime, given the plastic that water is stored in, there could be some negative effects. The Healthline article talks a little about the expiration dates typically seen on a lot of bottled water, which has always seemed odd that water should expire, but every article explains how if stored improperly, for too long, or in the heat, that the chemicals stored within the plastics can be released making the water unsafe to drink. Another article posted by Harvard Medical School dove into the topic of heated plastics in general and how with most plastics, when heated, leaching of chemicals can happen faster and to a greater degree which further supports the idea that bottled water actually can go bad, especially when in hot settings. 

https://www.eternalwater.com/blogs/news/will-your-bottled-water-go-bad-or-expire-lets-explore?srsltid=AfmBOoqYlOyiu6NRkgpxLNA1oYOLXKzAc-z3B3IYIK6khpSWyve3tOiC

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/does-water-expire

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/is-plastic-a-threat-to-your-health

https://waterboyinc.com/blog/how-long-does-bottled-water-last

Answer 5

"However, plastic containers – whether used for bottled water or other beverages – are slightly permeable, which may allow ambient air gases (such as vapors from household solvents, petroleum-based fuels, and other chemicals) to affect the taste and odor of your beverage. Your bottled water company takes great care to store and transport its products carefully so you can enjoy the fresh, clean taste you expect from bottled water. Proper storage will help ensure product quality." (IBWA).

https://bottledwater.org/bottled-water-storage/

Answer 6

It is true that bottled water will go bad after a long time of just sitting around or while being exposed to extreme heat. However, this is due only to the plastic bottles and not because of the water. The plastic will start to contaminate the water in these scenarios which is the cause of the water going bad. The water itself doesn't expire and wouldn't go bad if it hadn't been exposed to the plastic. So overall the claim that bottled water will go bad is true, the claim that the water itself expires is an exaggeration.

https://www.businessinsider.com/does-bottled-water-go-bad-yes-but-it-probably-wont-harm-you-2023-3

https://waterboyinc.com/blog/how-long-does-bottled-water-last

Answer 7

The claim wording is slightly misleading "bottled water goes bad" only because the water itself is not what expires. but technically plastic bottled water does go bad due to factors separate from the water inside.

When packaged correctly, water will not spoil but the plastic is the issue. plastic bottles are made from polyethylene terephthalate, when exposed to heat, chemicals from that plastic can cause the water to "go bad".

Even though drinking water won't go bad if cared for correctly, common plastic bottled waters are able to expire.

https://waterboyinc.com/blog/how-long-does-bottled-water-last

Answer 8

yes this claim is true that bottled water can go bed over time. First off looking at this Article from crystal springs a water company they state that "Technically, water doesn’t go bad, but plastic bottles can. Over time, bottles are subject to degradation." this shows us that although the water itself made not be going bad the plastic that it is being held in goes bad over the years causing the water to go bad. Adding to this if you purchase water from a glass bottle it is much safer over the years, and wont go bad as glass does not degrade like plastic does. So this statement can be true depending on the situation as it is not specifically the water that is going bad overtime but it is more the container that is holding the water that goes bad leading to the water going bad. 

 https://www.crystalspringswater.net/how-long-bottled-water-last/#:~:text=Technically%2C%20water%20doesn't%20go,remain%20fresh%20for%20several%20years.