The Effects of Multiple-Use of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Bottles on Antimony Concentration

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of multiple-use of polyethylene
terephthalate (PET) mineral water bottle on antimony (Sb) migration from the bottle to
the water. Three different brands ofPET bottles containing tap water were studied for a
period of 24 weeks. The water in the bottlewas replaced oncea week and measured for
its antimony content using the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). As a control,
water samples were also left unchanged in each brand of bottle for a period of 24
weeks. The results were then compared. The results showed that traces of antimony
were detected consistently in all water samples after 1 to 24 repetitive-use of all the
brands of bottle. The range of antimony concentration detected was between 0.03 ppm
to 0.37ppm. There were no significant differences in the amount of Sb measured for the
three brands of bottles studied. Meanwhile, the weekly replaced water samples at the
end of week 24 were compared to that of the un-replaced water samples for 24 weeks.
The results confirmed that more Sb were detected at 24 weeks for the weekly replaced
water samples compared to those unreplaced for 24 weeks. The results proved that re
using PET bottles could lead to increased accumulation of antimony in the water
consumed.