Bottle Blues: Canada calls Nalgene plastic toxic

The "to-drink-or-not-to-drink-out-of-a-Nalgene-bottle" debate has been raging for a few years now, and it looks like Nalgene's about to take the biggest blow yet. Insiders at the Canadian health department claim that the government plans to declare bisphenol-A, or B.P. A., a toxic chemical as early as Wednesday. B.P.A. is a primary component of the exceptionally hard, clear plastic used most famously in Nalgene bottles. Baby bottles, beverage and food containers, and the linings in food cans also frequently use bisphenol-a.

In lab tests, B.P.A. disrupts the hormonal systems of animals, and a draft report from the United States' Department of Health and Human Services National Toxicology Program expressed worry that the plastic could cause "neural and behavioral changes" in people who consume B.P.A. Coupled with the Canadian decision, the U.S. could follow in issuing a warning about B.P.A., but for now the draft report just calls for more research on the plastic.

But the scientific jury is still out: Some chemists consider bisphenol-a fairly safe and want to see more tests done.

“If I was a fish and there was bisphenol-a in the water, I’d be concerned,” said Warren G. Foster, director of the center for reproductive care and reproductive biology at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. “If I was a fetus and my mother was using a plastic water bottle, I wouldn’t be bothered.”

With both Canadian and American advocacy groups lobbying to ban bisphenol-A, the debate won't likely end anytime soon. Until then, it's a matter of personal choice. But just in case you've got a Nalgene or two kicking around (that's pretty much everyone), here's a few tips to minimize your chemical exposure:

- Wash bottles by hand with warm, soapy water; not in a dishwasher or with bleach or alkaline cleaners.

-Avoid filling bottles with boiling water (a February 2008 study concluded that exposure to boiling water causes BPA to be released at higher levels).

-Replace bottles when they become worn, cracked, or cloudy.

For more tips and full coverage of the Nalgene/bisphenol-A controversy, check out the story "What's In Your Bottle?" in BACKPACKER's June issue. — Ted Alvarez

Canada Likely to Label Plastic Ingredient ‘Toxic’ (NY Times)

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READERS COMMENTS

Heard from my local outdoors store that nalgene was going to remove the seven from the bottom of the bottles. But not remove the "toxic" chemical. So there wouldn't be a number at all.
Posted: Jun 07, 2008 Jess

Hi there! :)

I'm Rosalie from SolLight (www.sollight.com) and I just wanted to make a recommendation in case any of your readers were wondering what
they could do with their old water bottle, instead of throwing it away.

Thank you! :)

DON'T THROW AWAY YOUR OLD POLYCARBONATE
WATER BOTTLE - TURN IT INTO A SOLAR LANTERN!

The last thing this planet needs is any more plastic in the landfills. But what do you do with your old polycarbonate water bottle (Nalgene or similar) that you don't want to use any more? Don't throw it away!

With the incredibly handy LightCap200 you can turn your old (or new) bottle into the coolest home, deck, boat or camping lantern anywhere!

Just pull off the old cap and replace it with a safe, bright, environmentally-friendly solar-powered LED LightCap200 and you'll have light anywhere you want without wasteful batteries, dangerous, toxic fuel, or electric cords.

Put one on your picnic table, deck, out by the BBQ, kids playhouse, bedroom nightlight, car safety light, cockpit light on your boat, camper, tent or anywhere else.

Simply fill your bottle with water (even colored water) for a safe lantern that won't run out of fuel or be a fire hazard. No candles to burn out, and when your bottle is filled with water it won't tip over if the wind comes up.

The built-in light sensor automatically turns the light on whenever it gets dark, and off when there's enough light for charging. Or you can click the water-tight switch and turn it off manually. It weights only 2.6oz and you can even use it as a flashlight.

The four super-bright, white LEDs provide lots of light without giving off any heat or danger of chemicals in your water.

By adding a LightCap200 cap to your bottle you're not only creating a useful item, you're helping the environment.

You can even use your bottle to store things: trail snacks, dog treats, fire starting supplies, first aid kit-anything you want to keep safe, floating and dry. With the LightCap200 on top, you've always got a useful emergency light.

The LightCap200 is just $19.95 and will last for many years of continuous use. They make a great gift and are available at many fine outdoor stores as well as at our website: www.sollight.com

Posted: May 01, 2008 Rosalie (www.sollight.com)

According to this article: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,2283931,00.asp

Bottles with the 7 in the triangle are the harmful ones... sorry.
Posted: Apr 23, 2008 Dominick

I am not clear about which, if any, bottles are safe. I have Nalgene bottles with a 7 enclosed in a triangle, are they safe?
Posted: Apr 22, 2008 Norma Farnsworth