POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET/ PETE/ POLYESTER) is mostly used for food and drink packaging purposes due to its strong ability to prevent oxygen from getting in and spoiling the product inside. It also helps to keep the carbon dioxide in carbonated drinks from getting out. Although PET is most likely to be picked up by recycling programs, this type of plastic contains antimony trioxide- a matter that is considered carcinogenic- capable of causing cancer in a living tissue. The longer a liquid is left in a PET container the greater the potential for the release of the antimony. Warm temperatures inside cars, garages, and enclosed storage could also increase the release of the hazardous matter.