BPA in Water Bottles

Bisphenol A also known as BPA has, once
again been in the news.  In a nutshell,
the articles listed below share the following:

• A plastic containing the  chemical
  BPA is used to line most food and drink
  cans as well as used in the production
  of the popular polycarbonate "clear"
  (many do have a color added) water bottles.
• The chemical can leach into the contents
  of the product or drink.
• It seems that heat (such as leaving
  the bottle in a car) and harsh detergents/hot
  water (placing bottles on the lower level
  of the dishwasher or using a commercial
  dishwasher) increase the amount of "leaching."
• Unacceptable levels of BPA have been
  found in laboratory animals causing possible
  hormone disruptions.
• Canada will be banning the use of BPA
  in baby bottles.
• The majority of bottles w/ #7 on the
  bottom contain BPA.
• Safer alternatives are bottles (and
  other plastics) that have #1, #2, or
  #4 on the bottom.

As the studies are more recent and more
individuals are now using the bottles in
question, therefore resulting in additional
exposure, longitudinal studies will need
to be conducted before concrete results
are gleaned. There are differing
opinions amongst the various scientists
representing the plastic industry and the
health researchers.

Articles containing additional information:

• www.ewg.org/node/20944  – Offers
  a comprehensive overview and suggestions.  

• www.thegreenguide.com/doc/114/bpa – Links
  to additional articles related to BPA

• www.nytimes.com – An
  in-depth article from The New York Times

• www.npr.org/search.php?text=BPA – View/listen
  to articles about BPA on NPR

• www.trailspace.com/news/2008/04/18/nalgene-to-phase-out-bottles-containing-bpa.html – The
  Nalgene® Web site posted information
  regarding the bottles in question.
  
  
  In
  the near future, Nalgene® will be
  phasing out those bottles containing
  BPA as noted in this recent press release: 
  
  
  ROCHESTER, N.Y. (April 18, 2008) – In
  response to consumer demand, Nalgene® will
  phase out production of its Outdoor line
  of polycarbonate containers that include
  the chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) over the
  next several months, it announced today.
  Nalgene’s® existing product mix, including
  the recently launched Everyday line, already
  features a number of containers made from
  materials that do not contain BPA. (Accessed
  from www.Nalgene-outdoor.com).
  
  
• www.ewg.org/node/26291 – Historical
  facts and information about BPA