Most people know that washing their hands, getting plenty of rest, and eating nutritious meals will usually keep them healthy, but few are aware of the risks presented by a common everyday task: refilling plastic bottles.

Health experts from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) say refilling plastic water or soda bottles without thoroughly washing them could increase one's chances of contracting staph infections, strep throat, meningitis, and other illnesses.

"The reason why it is dangerous to refill them is because the bacteria from your mouth transfers directly into the bottle, and it can multiply when the water is left standing still at a warm temperature," said Donna Pearce, the Infection Control Manager at Monadnock Community Hospital.

A recent test of refilled water bottles performed by doctors from the CDC revealed traces of staphylococcus and other forms of bacteria. These results are especially unnerving to experts, as the bacteria that causes the antibiotic resistant MRSA staph infection, which is projected to kill more Americans than AIDS, has the ability to live in plastic bottles.

"Economically, this situation is tough on people because constantly buying new water bottles will get expensive quickly, so I would advise folks to reuse them, but make sure they are washed carefully," Pearce added.

The CDC warns that although washing water bottles with warm, soapy water will kill bacteria, it does not protect against the potential contamination of the liquid in the bottle by deteriorated plastic resins.

"The plastic in Nalgene water bottles, which are a common choice for athletes and students, tested positive for bisphenol-A, a chemical which has been linked to breast and uterine cancer," said CDC spokesman Tom Skinner in an interview with the Associated Press.

Scientists from the California Environment Research and Policy Center (CERP) conducted a study in which 130 different types of plastic bottles were analyzed, and the majority of them contained lexan, a chemical that can adversely affect the body's hormone messaging system.

"Refilling bottles allows these chemicals to leak out through tiny cracks and crevices that develop in the bottle over time," said Dr. Dan Jacobsen, the Coordinator of CERP.

The CDC recommends cleaning bottles with warm, soapy water, refrigerating refilled bottles, and using a straw instead of directly contacting the bottle with one's mouth. Drinking out of another person's bottle or sharing one's bottle with friends is strongly discouraged.

"Even if all of these precautionary techniques are employed, I would still advise people to throw out a bottle after three refills to ensure that there is no seepage of plastic chemicals into the water," added Skinner.

Learn more about this author, Kevin Flanders.
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