What is the best container to store water in? How to properly store drinking water How to store drinking water for a long time.

The influence of water on the human condition depends largely on how it is stored. Let's talk about how to properly store water so that it is healthy and stays fresh longer.

Rules for storing drinking water

Water quality plays a major role in determining the appropriate storage period. Well-purified drinking water is suitable for long-term storage; poorly purified water will quickly go rotten in any container.

• You can choose various containers for water depending on its use: glass, plastic, metal. Plastic and glass containers are most often used to store water. It is more convenient to store small volumes of water in plastic bottles with a lid. If you choose plastic, then choose PET bottles. They are made of polyethylene terephthalate, which does not spoil water.
• PVC containers are unsafe and can “contaminate” the water with toxins. Also avoid using PVC or BPA containers.
• The storage temperature of water should not exceed +25 degrees, and you should also ensure that the container with water is not exposed to direct sunlight.
• If you bought water in a store, then follow the deadlines indicated on the bottle.
• The container in which water is stored must be tightly closed, otherwise the beneficial substances will soon die. Also, water does not last long in an open container, because oxygen entering the water changes its chemical composition.
• Bottled water can be stored in polycarbonate bottles for twelve months. Water can be stored in glass containers from three months to two years, in PET containers - from three months to one year.

Clean drinking water is the most important resource for humans. Proper storage drinking water is no less important than the choice of water itself.

Drinking water storage conditions

To preserve the properties of drinking water, it is recommended to store it at a temperature no higher than 25 degrees, but not in direct sunlight. Remember also that when stored for a long time, water loses its quality, so you should not stock up on it too much for future use. Acceptable storage periods for drinking water depend on the container used. If you buy bottled water, always pay attention to the shelf life indicated by the manufacturer and do not violate it.

Containers for storing drinking water

Today there are many types of containers to choose from: plastic, clay, metal, glass. Water can be safely stored in a glass container for up to 3 years. In principle, this is the most recommended option, but not always practical. Not large number water (up to 50 liters) can be stored in special plastic containers with screw-on lids. And if you need to store a large amount of water, then it is better to use a spare container made of food-grade plastic or specially treated metal. Melamine containers are the most dangerous: although they are aesthetically pleasing and durable, they emit harmful substances when in contact with water.

If you buy and store water in a plastic bottle, pay attention to its composition. The safest containers are bottles made of polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). But the content of bisphenol A (BPA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is fraught with the release of toxins after 5-7 days. And reuse of such containers is prohibited.

By complying with the basic requirements for storing drinking water, you ensure its preservation beneficial properties and safety for the body.

If it is poured into a low-quality container, contaminants or harmful chemicals from the bottle will get into the water. Water can not only acquire bad smell and taste, but also become hazardous to health.

Many doctors and nutritionists categorically state what to buy drinking water should only be in glass containers. All arguments boil down to the fact that when it reacts with water, plastic immediately begins to release harmful substances.

On the one hand, yes, glass is the safest container; it does not react with water, even if the bottle gets very hot. On the other hand, it is absolutely not suitable for transporting water in 19 liter bottles.

The ideal material in this case is polycarbonate. And here questions arise about phenol A and regular Pat - is there a difference?

Let's figure it out:

The Research Institute of Ecology and Hygiene carried out an examination and found that in cold water besphenol A does not transfer;

For phenol A to cause harm to the body, a person must eat and drink at least 600 kg of food and water every day that has come into contact with polycarbonate;

If the rules and regulations for bottling, storage and transportation are observed, a polycarbonate water bottle does not cause any harm and does not in any way change its natural composition;

Polycarbonate has high heat resistance (washing at temperatures above 60 degrees, which corresponds to EWBA recommendations);

Recyclable;

PET in in this regard loses a lot:

Pet is the most unsafe container for health: it allows light and air to pass through, and when heated strongly it can release harmful substances into the water;

The maximum temperature during washing is 50 degrees, which does not meet EWBA requirements;

There are no disposal options.

CONCLUSIONS

The safest container for water is glass. Glass does not react with water, and harmful substances from glass containers do not enter the water, even if the bottle is heated. The disadvantages of glass are obvious - it is heavy and fragile.

In second place in terms of safety - polycarbonate This is an ideal container for those over 18-19 liter bottles- lighter than glass and at the same time much stronger.

The most unsafe water container for health is polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride. These materials allow light and air to pass through, but when heated, plastic bottles can release air into water. toxic substances, it is not recommended to reuse them.

How to choose safe and high-quality bottled water?

Andrey Mosov, head of the expert direction of NP Roskontrol, doctor:

“Bottled water is a product like any other and it has an expiration date and must be stored under certain conditions. Read the label and follow the instructions. Regardless of the container, water should not be stored in the sun. Particularly dangerous sun rays and increasing the temperature for water in plastic bottles - toxic substances can get into the water. Choose water that has been recently produced. The longer the water was stored, the more harmful substances from the plastic managed to get into it.”

The material was made with the support of the company

Hello!

To disinfect water, you can use solutions of potassium permanganate, iodine, peroxide salts (preparations Aquatabs, SilverPro in the form of tablets for water disinfection), natural minerals shungite and silicon (their use is safe for health), as well as such modern methods such as ozonation of water, treatment with UV radiation or treatment with colloidal silver and silver salts (in the form (Ag 2 SO 4 SilverPro). However, some tablet preparations contain harmful substances such as sodium dichloroisocyanurate (Aquatabs), which is classified as moderately hazardous chemicals. Therefore, using them regularly is not recommended.

The domestic market offers modern water treatment units - ozonizers, UV lamps and ionizers. The choice should be made based on what goal you are pursuing and what in cash you have it. I would recommend treating water with colloidal silver, the bactericidal properties of which have been known since ancient times. Silver has a bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect against more than 500 species of bacteria. The effect of killing bacteria with silver preparations is 1500 times higher than the effect of the same concentration of phenol (C 6 H 5 OH) and 3.5 times higher than the effect of mercuric chloride (HgCl 2). 1 mg/l of silver in an aqueous solution for 30 minutes causes inactivation of influenza A, B, Miter and Sendai viruses. Silver has a pronounced fungicidal effect at a concentration of 0.1 mg/l. With a microbial load of 100,000 cells per 1 liter, the death of pathogenic yeast fungi Candida albicans occurs 30 minutes after contact with silver.

Silver is not only a metal that inhibits the development of bacteria, but also a microelement that is integral part body tissues - glands internal secretion, brain and liver. The silver content in the human body is 20 mcg per 100 g of dry matter. The physiological norm of silver, according to various sources, ranges from 40 to 60 mcg.

The effects of silver are determined by the concentration and size of colloidal nanoparticles. In the nanoscale range, silver exhibits unique properties. Ag+ silver ions have bactericidal, bacteriostatic and antiseptic activity. A solution of colloidal silver nanoparticles Ag + has a significantly higher activity.

Colloidal nanosilver is a material produced by the electrolytic method using ionizer devices, consisting of silver nanoparticles dissolved in demineralized and deionized water (figure).

Drawing. The photograph shows silver nanoparticles obtained by Russian scientists, fixed on the surface of spherical particles of mesoporous aluminosilicate. Mesoporous aluminosilicate was obtained by hydrolysis of Si(OC 2 H 5) 4 and Al(OC 3 H 7) 3 in the presence of C 16 H 33 (CH 3) 3 NBr as a structure-forming agent. After hydrolysis, organic components were removed by annealing in a stream of oxygen. To obtain silver nanoparticles, aluminosilicate was impregnated with a solution of AgNO 3 and reduced in a stream of hydrogen. The resulting nanocomposite exhibits high catalytic activity in the oxidation of methanol.

Many airlines use silver-treated water as a way to protect passengers from infections, incl. dysentery. In many countries, colloidal silver ions Ag+ are used to disinfect swimming pool water. In Russia and abroad, filter materials impregnated with Ag + silver ions are used to purify and disinfect water in homes and offices. At the International Space Station Silver ionizers are also used.

Ionization of water with silver is carried out using special electrolytic devices - silver ionizers (Penguin, Dolphin, Nevoton, Georgiy installations, etc.). The operating principle of these devices is based on the electrolytic method - passing direct current through silver or silver-copper electrodes immersed in water. During the electrolysis process, the silver electrode (anode), dissolving, saturates the water with silver ions Ag +. The concentration of the resulting solution of Ag + ions at a given current depends on the operating time of the current source and the volume of water being treated. Some modern models ionizers additionally contain an activated carbon filter to trap harmful impurities.

Currently, compact household installations and technologies for ionizing water with silver have been created in Russia. With their help, it is possible to carry out effective water treatment and disinfection. Water disinfection systems for swimming pools have also been created.

The silver content in drinking water is regulated by SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01 "Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for water quality in centralized drinking water supply systems. Quality control" (no more than 0.05 mg/l Ag + in water) and SanPin 2.1.4.1116 – 02 Drinking water. Hygienic requirements for the quality of water packaged in containers. Quality control (no more than 0.025 mg/l Ag + in water).

If you do not have the opportunity to purchase a silver ionizer, you can use the old method of disinfecting water by placing silver items in it, for example, silver spoons, forks, etc. This method of infusing water on silver is not as effective as the previous ones using ionizers, but it is the most safe way disinfection of drinking water. Among other safe natural materials, you can try the mineral shungite, as well as a combination of silver and shungite.

Hello!

I have this question. What is the best container to store water in? As far as I understand, it is better in a transparent one, for exposure to ultraviolet radiation. But in connection with this, the next question. I studied at the Faculty of Chemistry, studied polymers, according to the information I have, polymers can release some substances at temperatures above 20 degrees Celsius. Glass remains or in recent years has science surpassed my knowledge and now polymer containers are harmless?

Thanks in advance for your answer.

Hello!

It is best to store water in a closed glass container..

If this is not possible, then it is better to use containers made of food-grade plastic, which is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate.

These polymers are chemically inert and non-toxic, but technological additives - stabilizers, which are added by manufacturers to increase strength, can have a toxic effect when released into water as a result of chemical decomposition. This can also occur when water is stored for a long time or when the water is heated. In addition, polymeric materials, when subjected to change (aging), release degradation products.

Main polymer materials used in manufacturing plastic containers, are given below:

Polyethylene (denoted PE) is a thermoplastic saturated polymer hydrocarbon whose molecules consist of ethylene units.

PE is not wetted by water and other polar liquids. at room temperature it does not dissolve in organic solvents. Only when the temperature increases (70°C and above) does it first swell and then dissolve in aromatic and chlorinated hydrocarbons. The best solvents are xylene, decalin, tetralin. When heated (often with preliminary softening), PE decomposes. Insensitive to humidity, resistant to strong acids and alkalis, the attitude towards organic solvents varies (depending on the chemical nature of the polymer). Physiologically, PE is harmless.

Polyvinyl chloride (denoted PVC) is a complex product chemical synthesis, which is based on natural raw materials - sodium chloride and petroleum hydrocarbons. In the production of PVC, the intermediate product is VX (vinyl chloride), which has a monomer structure. They are then converted into PVC polymers through a polymerization process. The latter, unlike biologically active monomers, are absolutely inert and non-toxic. The final content of VC in the polymer is 0.1 ppm, while the maximum permissible concentration (MAC) of toxins in plant foods is 10 ppm. To give PVC the necessary properties, various additives are used, such as stabilizers, plasticizers and fillers. Modern stabilizers come in two types - Ca/Zn (calcium-zinc) and even lead compounds, which are highly toxic. PVC is widespread all over the world because... extremely cheap. It is used to make drink bottles, cosmetics boxes, containers for household chemicals, and disposable tableware. Over time, PVC begins to release a harmful carcinogenic substance - vinyl chloride. From the bottle it gets into the water, from the plate into the food, and with the food into the body. According to experiments, harmful substance PVC begins to release a week after the contents are poured into it. A month later in mineral water several milligrams of vinyl chloride accumulate (oncologists believe that this is enough for the development of cancer). Often, plastic bottles are reused: water or other drinks, even alcoholic ones, are poured into them. These markets sell milk and sunflower oil, which is extremely undesirable.

Polystyrene(denoted PS) - a product of the polymerization of styrene (viniobenzene), belongs to polymers of the class of thermopolymers, i.e. polymers resistant to thermal influences. Has chemical formula type: [-CH 2 -CH(C 6 H 5)-] n -. Phenyl groups in the composition of PS prevent the ordered arrangement of macromolecules and the formation of crystalline formations. PS is a hard, brittle, amorphous polymer with a high degree of optical light transmission and low mechanical strength, produced in the form of transparent cylindrical granules. Polystyrene has a low density (1060 kg/m³), thermal resistance (up to 105 ° C), and shrinkage during injection molding processing of 0.4-0.8%. PS has excellent dielectric properties and good frost resistance (up to 40°C). It has low chemical resistance (except for diluted acids, alcohols and alkalis). To improve the properties of polystyrene, it is modified by mixing with various polymers - cross-linked, producing styrene copolymers. PS is soluble in acetone, toluene and gasoline. The widespread use of polystyrene (PS) and plastics based on it is based on its low cost, ease of processing and a huge range of different brands. Most wide application(more than 60% of the production of polystyrene plastics) produced impact-resistant polystyrenes, which are copolymers of styrene with various types rubber. PS is inert to water and cold liquids. But when hot liquid or water is placed in it, polystyrene containers can release some amounts of a toxic compound - styrene.

Polyethylene terephthalate(designated PET, PET) - resistant to elevated temperatures thermoplastic, a polycondensation product of ethylene glycol with terephthalic acid (or its dimethyl ether); solid, colorless, transparent substance in the amorphous state and white, opaque in crystalline state. Molecular weight(20-50) 10 3. PET Durable, wear-resistant, good dielectric.

PET is insoluble in water and has great chemical resistance to acids, salts, alkalis, alcohols, gasoline, paraffins, fats, mineral oils, and ether. PET is also highly resistant to water vapor. PET material dissolves at 40-150 °C in acetone, benzene, phenol, toluene, cyclohexanone, ethyl acetate, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform. PET has low hygroscopicity (water absorption is usually 0.4-0.5%), which depends on the phase state of the polymer and relative humidity air. Characterized by high heat resistance (290°C); destruction in air begins at a temperature 50 °C lower than in an inert environment. The performance properties of PET are maintained in the range from - 60 to 170°C. Polyethylene terephthalate undergoes thermal destruction at a temperature range of 290-310 °C. The destruction of PET occurs statistically along the polymer chain. The volatile products are terephthalic acid, acetaldehyde and carbon monoxide. At a temperature of 900 °C it forms large number various hydrocarbons. The volatile products mainly consist of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and methane.

In cold and heated states, PET retains excellent ductility. The thermoforming process is simple and high-tech due to the fact that the material has insignificant internal stresses. PET does not require pre-drying, since the heat capacity of the material is much less than that of polystyrene and plexiglass. PET allows you to save on energy and significantly reduces labor intensity, because much less energy is needed thermal energy and time for molding temperature. All this ensures a reduction in production costs. Thus, polyethylene terephthalate can easily replace transparent solid polycarbonate, having an order of magnitude lower cost.

PET is used for the production of polymer fibers, threads, containers and packaging.

World production of PET in 1989 was about 9.3 million tons, with 90% of all PET spent on the production of packaging fibers.

Fiber-forming polyethylene terephthalate was first synthesized in Great Britain in 1941.

Today, PET is used to produce a wide variety of packaging for food and beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. PET materials are indispensable in the production of audio, video and X-ray films, car tires, beverage bottles, high barrier films, fabric fibers. A wide range of applications is possible due to the exceptional balance of PET capabilities and the fact that finished product the degree of crystallinity and level of orientation can be controlled.

Speaking about the toxicity of PET, it should be noted that pure PET is not toxic. However, PET may contain phthalates and other toxic chemical compounds, dicarboxylic acids, glycols, etc., which are introduced into the polymer to increase thermo-, light-, and fire-resistant properties.

During production plastic bottles bisphenol A (BPA) is also sometimes used, which interferes with performance endocrine system, which provokes breast cancer and leads to hormonal imbalance. Parents should especially pay attention to the use of plastic bottles for feeding their children.

Initial studies by English scientists have shown that the presence of BPA in the human body may lead to a risk of developing diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. Subsequent experiments led to more restrained conclusions. It has been proven that liver disease and obesity also increase the level of BPA in the body, but it was not possible to link this phenomenon to the use of plastic containers. In addition, traces of formaldehyde are found in plastic bottles.

Conscientious manufacturers put a symbol on the bottom of dangerous bottles - a three in a triangle, or PVC, i.e. PVC. A harmful container can also be recognized by the influx on the bottom. It comes in the form of a line or a spear at two ends. If you press the bottle with your fingernail, a whitish scar will form on the dangerous one. The right bottle stays smooth.