While the need for water consumption increases in the summer months, water that does not meet appropriate conditions poses a danger. Experts also warn against the consumption of water in plastic bottles and demijohns kept in places exposed to the sun.
Drawing attention to the fact that water in plastic bottles sold in traffic, left in cars and exposed to the sun for a long time, especially on hot summer days, is quite harmful to health, Food Technology Program Head Dr. Lecturer Ayla Ünver Alçay gave advice to citizens. Alçay said that water that does not provide sufficient hygiene conditions should not be preferred, and that touching the tip of the apparatus while taking water from the fountains with plastic bottles can also cause bacterial transmission.
Ayla Ünver Alçay said, “Water should not be exposed to the sun for a long time, bacteria such as salmonella, shigellosis, microorganisms that can cause serious diseases can multiply, and bisphenol A will increase in the water. Especially in children and babies, developmental problems, endocrine disorders, early puberty in girls, hyperactivity, aggressive behaviors can occur. High amounts of bisphenol A intake have been associated with reproductive disorders in women and men. Compounds such as phthalates and antimony in PET bottles can pass into the water in higher amounts, and there are carcinogenic ones in them.”
“MICROORGANISMS THAT CAUSE SERIOUS DISEASES MAY PROGRESS”
Dr. said that water exposed to the sun is risky for health. Lecturer Member Ayla Ünver Alçay said, “The places we get water from are very important, the water should not be exposed to sunlight for a long time. In many places, in water sales places, we see that water demijohns and plastic water bottles are exposed to the sun and heat outside, in the open, in dust. You should not buy water in such places; in sales points, water should be kept at room temperature or in refrigerators.
Around it are tubes, chemicals, detergents, etc. It is necessary to be careful in places where chemicals are present, as there may be odor transfer from them. When purchasing water, it must be clean, hygienic and stored in closed environments. After purchasing it, we can keep it at room temperature when we take it home. People may not pay much attention to the expiration date of water. They think that there will be no problem with water. Maybe we can be more careful with other foods, but water also has an expiration date.
If it is left in sunlight for a long time, the number of microorganisms in its content may increase. The existing, small number of microorganisms will begin to multiply as suitable environmental conditions are created under the influence of temperature. For example, bacteria such as salmonella, shigella and aeromonas. There are not many cases of cholera in Turkey, but it is one of the diseases transmitted by water; Microorganisms that will cause serious diseases such as cholera can also multiply. The event we call migration may occur. Migration; “We call it that some chemicals in the structure of plastic pass into water,” he said.
“THERE ARE CANCEROGENS IN IT”
Dr. continued his words by explaining that bisphenol A, used in the production of plastics, has many effects. Lecturer Member Alçay said, “There is a chemical called bisphenol A in the plastic bottles coded 3 and 7. When exposed to heat and ultraviolet rays for a long time, the transition of bisphenol A into water will increase. People who consume that water may be exposed to high doses of bisphenol A. Especially in children and babies, problems such as development, endocrine disorders, early puberty in girls, hyperactivity and aggressive behavior may occur.