Is it safe to drink water that has become hot in the car?
3 Answers
Bottled mineral water left in the car remains safe to drink even after prolonged sun exposure. Here's an explanation regarding gasoline evaporation under sunlight: 1. Evaporation: Evaporation is a physical phenomenon that occurs with all liquids. Higher temperatures accelerate evaporation, and lower-density liquids evaporate more readily than higher-density ones. Gasoline and alcohol have similar densities (with gasoline being slightly lower), making both prone to evaporation. 2. Sealing: Gasoline theoretically won't evaporate when sealed in an airtight tank. However, vehicle fuel is stored in fuel tanks that aren't completely airtight, maintaining some ventilation with the atmosphere. Consequently, gasoline stored in vehicles will inevitably experience some degree of evaporation.
As someone who's often on the road, I really don't think water left in the car should be consumed after being heated by high temperatures. Think about it – car temperatures can soar to 60-70°C in summer. Plastic bottles repeatedly exposed to sunlight can leach chemicals into the water, which isn't good for health. I used to drink it for convenience until I got stomach pain for several days. Later I learned from research that heating plastic bottles can cause substances like BPA to seep into the water. Moreover, warm water breeds bacteria more easily, especially if your bottle isn't sealed properly – dust and other contaminants might get in. My advice is to avoid it altogether. Make it a habit to check if your water bottle has been exposed to sunlight before drinking. Also, high car temperatures accelerate water spoilage, making it taste odd. For safety, use insulated bottles or cool water containers, or simply buy fresh bottled water before driving.
I'm quite particular about scientific knowledge, and drinking water that's been heated in the car may pose risks. Plastic bottles can undergo molecular changes in high-temperature environments, potentially releasing chemical additives like plasticizers or stabilizers into the water, which could be harmful to health in the long run. Additionally, heated water has reduced oxygen content, but bacteria, especially E. coli, multiply faster, which can easily lead to gastrointestinal issues. I've also observed that car interiors have uneven temperatures; water bottles placed near the dashboard heat up more easily than those in the trunk. For safety, try not to leave water in the car for too long. If you're used to storing water in the car, opt for stainless steel or glass containers instead of plastic, and replace the water regularly to ensure freshness. Remember, when temperatures exceed 30 degrees Celsius, water shouldn't be stored for more than 24 hours.
