Ditch your Nalgene: developed countries are starting to ban products containing bisphenyl A
In case you haven't been keeping up with international news, there's a brewing controversy surrounding bisphenyl A or BPA, a chemical found in hard, clear plastics and resins (particularly polycarbonate containers). While the chemical is defended by the plastics industry, studies say that once in the body, BPA mimmicks estrogen and other hormones and is carcinogenic.
While its effect on humans are not yet conclusive, some companies have issued a recall on Nalgene water bottles, one of the most prominent products to use the chemical, as well as plastic baby bottles and have pulled BPA products from their shelves. The Nalgene company has also said that it will stop producing the bottles as they contain this harmful chemical.
Meanwhile, some countries, such as Canada, are currently debating an all-out ban on some products and toxic labeling on others (they'd be the first developed country to ban the chemical if the government passes the bill). BPA is far more harmful at a young age, which is what makes the BPA contained in baby bottles and Nalgenes used for sport such a contentious issue.
How do you know which plastics contain BPA? Many are marked with the label code 7 on the bottom, though metal food cans often have BPA in the interior lining and are not labelled. To best avoid exposure, use glass, stainless steel or porcelain containers, glass or hard plastic bottles without BPA for baby bottles (look for acrylic bottles).
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The LA Times just published an article on the BPA controversy quotes Frederick vom Saal, a biology professor at the University of Missouri-Columbia and one of the leading BPA researchers in the country. Dr. Vom Saal "believes BPA should be banned from all products that might end up passing it along to people. "If it's hard and clear and doesn't say 'No BPA,' don't use it."
In studies of laboratory animals, Vom Saal says, BPA changes play behavior, weakens gender differences, decreases sperm count, stimulates prostate cancer and causes ADHD symptoms.
"All of this is occurring at exposures in animals that lead to blood levels that I guarantee are below what are in your body," he says. "No level has ever been found in animal experiments that doesn't cause harm."
The article advises people to avoid putting polycarbonate plastic food containers in the microwave or dishwasher or putting hot food or liquid into polycarbonate plastic containers.
"Heat makes BPA leach out much faster than it does otherwise," it notes.