Danger of re-using plastic bottles - fact or urban myth?

[LaLaLand2006]

Someone has told me that you shouldn't re-use plastic bottles for a long period of time. We have a water cooler at work and a lot of people re-use and refill the same bottle time after time. I've been told this is dangerous as the inner plastic coating comes off over time and the contents can become contaminated. Is this true - or an urban myth?

[nickmo]

Water industry claim it is not true that there are chemicals from PET bottles in the contents, and all based on one students reoprt in an email from a couple of years ago.

Lots of info on the web on the potential of re-filling water bottles - and the key is to wash and dry the bottle, and occasional anti-bacterial rinse as well - use a Miltons or similar if you repeat the action a lot.

The problems seem to come from un-washed hands introducing bacteria at the time of re-filling, not from bacteria present in the bottle from 1st fill. If you take a swig from a bottle, then return to it, leave it a bit and so on, then refill it, bacteria from the hands, mouth etc will be left in the bottle, so simple hygiene should reduce the risk.

[The Tiggster]

nickmo is correct, it's the same principle as having to sterilise babies bottles as germs from saliva get into the bottle & is a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

[LaLaLand2006]

Many thanks for your answers.