And people with known liver disease should follow appropriate medical monitoring.
Chapter 5: Should You Stop Drinking Bottled Water?
For most people, the answer is not as dramatic as viral posts suggest.
There is no established scientific basis for saying that bottled water itself causes liver cancer.
If bottled water is your primary source of drinking water, you do not need to assume that you are developing liver cancer because of it.
At the same time, there is nothing wrong with reducing your dependence on disposable plastic bottles if you prefer.
A reusable bottle can reduce plastic waste and may be more economical over time.
If you choose bottled water, store it appropriately.
Avoid exposing bottles to unnecessary heat or prolonged direct sunlight.
Don't leave disposable bottles sitting for extended periods in extremely hot environments.
Once a bottle has been opened, handle it hygienically and avoid sharing it directly with other people.
If you prefer reusable bottles, clean them regularly.
And remember that water quality matters more than whether the container is made of plastic or glass.
Tap water that meets local drinking-water standards can be an excellent option.
Filtered water may also be useful when there is a specific reason to filter it, depending on the quality of the local water supply.
For people in areas where tap water is unsafe or unreliable, bottled water can provide an important source of safe drinking water.
That is why blanket statements such as “never drink bottled water” are not appropriate for every population.
The bigger lesson is about how we interpret health information online.
A photograph of a sick person next to bottles of water does not establish causation.
A chemical detected in plastic does not automatically mean the amount people encounter causes cancer.
And a scientific study showing a potential biological effect does not necessarily prove that the same effect occurs in humans at normal everyday exposure levels.
When it comes to liver cancer, focus on the risk factors that are actually established and medically relevant.
Know your hepatitis status when appropriate.
Manage metabolic health.
Avoid excessive alcohol.