I tried searching the web, but it seems there is contradicting information on whether high automobile temps (I live in Phx, AZ) causes chemicals in those 12 oz/16 oz water bottles to leach into the water. I like carrying water bottles in the truck but don't wish to poison myself. I've noticed that some plastic bottles have very thin walls and other brands seem more durable. Is one brand safer than another? Are all brands going to be safe after a summer in Phoenix? I don't keep any in direct sunlight.

Thanks for your input,
Xavier

My understanding is that the chemical makeup of the plastic is pretty much the same between manufacturers, and what the plastic is, is noted by the number in the recyle symbol on the bottom of the plastic.

Quick survey at home: sports drink bottle and water bottle (those kind that come in 24 packs) are both #1, PETE

A wikipedia page to start with:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyethylene_terephthalate

Store-bought gallon of water in one of those milky plastic bottles + 24 hrs in 112ºF heat at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, and I can absolutely say YES, IT DOES LEACH! It was so bad that the the water was undrinkable.

I haven't tried the newer clear plastic bottles.

Sue

Well, the SODIS method of disinfecting water consists of leaving PET bottles of water out in the sun.
SODIS
Wikipedia-Solar Disinfection

fooman -- that is to kill organisms in the water, not necessarily heat the bottle "the UV-radiation of the sun kills diarrhoea (sic) generating pathogens".

I wonder if a Brita filter would be useful in removing the plastic chemicals which leach into the water? I use one on road trips because once out of SOCAL tap-water can easily be made palatable.

I keep my water bottles inside a soft-sided cooler. I find this does a pretty good job of keeping them relatively cool in a hot car. With that said, I do live in the NY/NJ/PA area, so our summer time temperatures aren't typically as hot as the more southern states.

I have drunk water from generic one liter bottles that have been stored for several years in my truck in Florida. The water tasted like plastic but not so much, being thirsty was a factor, that I couldn't drink it. Other than my bra size going up a bit, and developing an interest in shoes that passed in a couple of week, there were no side effects.

Well, anything you leave out in the tropical sun is going to get hot pretty quick. haha

It is interesting to note that the cited Wikipedia article on the SODIS technique mentions studies that show that leaching of nasty things into the water is inconsequential.

I try and keep my stored water containers in vehicles as cool as possible, but I don't worry about drinking from them when I need water. Overall, only a tiny fraction of my water intake comes from plastic bottles.

If you're looking for an alternative to plastic bottles, I keep a case of Aqua Blox in my truck year-round as an emergency supply and it seems to handle both freezing and 100+ degree temps without any ill effects. The juice-box packaging is rated for 5 years storage and has an impermeable liner to prevent funny tastes or leaching. The last case I rotated out after 3 years tasted fine and I lived to tell the tale. Just my $.02.