A year or two ago, there was a lot of chatter about BPA (deadly? slightly harmful? no big deal?). Then SARS, anthrax, lead paint on toys, and most recently, H1N1, stole the spotlight, and BPA was unceremoniously shoved to the sidelines.
Perhaps that was for the best, since sometimes you have to give these issues time, let the studies themselves get more specific, and then reassess. So what’s the latest?
Since our first report on BPA, things have changed. The FDA just put out an updated report this past January (2010), and yes, the agency is concerned. So is the EPA. Read on, and spread the word. Read More …
Is drinking out of a plastic water bottle exposing you to a bunch of dangerous toxins like BPA and DEHA? Are all plastic water bottles the same? There is a lot of information zooming around, and it can be difficult to determine what’s true and what’s not.
Truth or Myth: All plastic water bottles contain BPA, but it doesn’t matter since BPA is harmless.
Myth. All polycarbonate (#7) plastic bottles contain some level of BPA (which stands for bishphenol A), but there are other types of plastic bottles—#2 and #4 plastics—that do not have any BPA. BPA is a chemical that can mimic the role of natural hormones—like estrogen. Some studies show that BPA affects reproduction and brain development in animals (BPA chemicals can duplicate, block, or exaggerate hormonal responses). Other studies show no adverse effects in animals. So there is still a lot of disagreement among scientists, and between scientists and the plastics industry over the risks to humans. More studies are needed before we understand the long-term effects of BPA on the human body.
Truth or Myth: Since the toxin BPA is an estrogen-like chemical, my boobs will get bigger because I use a #7 Nalgene bottle.
Myth.
The author ingesting some BPA ...
Getting stoked for an increase ...
... waiting ...
... aaaand: no.
Truth or Myth: Heat and scratches on my #7 polycarbonate bottle means BPA will leach out like crazy.
Truth (and Myth). Age and condition doesn’t increase BPA—so scratch away. But heat does. In a 2008 article in the Science Daily (March 2008), scientists reported that the temperature of the liquid in the bottle determines the rate at which BPA is released. Prior to boiling water exposure, the rate of release was 0.2 to 0.8 nanograms per hour. After exposure, rates increased to 8 to 32 nanograms per hour. Nine-year-old bottles performed the same as new bottles. Is 0.2 a harmless number? According to the FDA, yes. Does 8 mean you’re being poisoned by your water bottle? Scientists aren’t sure yet, but there are alternatives if you’d rather not worry about it.
Truth or Myth: Beer in plastic bottles might taste gross, but plastic makes it safer to throw beer around.
Truth.
Truth or Myth: BPA is only found in #7 bottles.
Myth. BPA is in a lot of things—CDs, DVDs, eyeglasses—the difference is that most of us don’t lick our eyewear all day long. But the FDA maintains that current BPA exposure from plastic bottles is safe for humans.
Truth or Myth: The plastic in the #1 bottles I buy at the store (water, sport drinks, etc) is called PET, and that plastic contains cancer-causing DEHA, which can leach into my drink if I reuse these bottles.
Myth. The plastic is called PET, but DEHA is not classified as a human carcinogen (toxin), and DEHA is not inherent in PET plastic. Plus DEHA has been cleared by the FDA.
That said, it’s not a great idea to reuse the #1 bottles you buy from the store, because their design tends to make them difficult to clean. Bacteria absolutely loves to set up camp in difficult-to-clean bottles.
If you want to avoid plastic (and BPA) altogether, go with aluminum or stainless steel. If you like plastic, grab a bottle made with #2 high-density or #4 low-density polyethylene.
Here are some suggestions.
Aluminum Allure:
Sigg water bottles— cool graphics, drink-safe interior lining that won’t crack even if the bottle gets dented, and specific bottles can be used for hot and cold beverages.
Laken bottles— wide-mouth openings mean you won’t have to use a chisel to get ice cubes into your bottle, more than 20% of your drink powder will actually make it into your drink, and it’s easy to clean. Specific bottles hold hot and cold drinks.
Stainless Steel Savvy:
Backcountry.com Kanteens — camp-friendly for hot and iced drinks, powered by the Goat logo, won’t dent as easily as aluminum when dropped.
Stanley bottles — super durable with tops that double as drinking cups for your morning tea or coffee.
Non-BPA Plastic Possibilities
Nalgene HDPE bottle— lightweight and anti-dent, and most people enjoy a wide mouth.
CamelBak’s NEW Triton bottles — COMING SOON. Easy to drink out of while working out or hiking.
If you stick with your polycarbonate (#7) Nalgene bottle
, Nalgene recommends that you soak your bottle in warm soapy water, or in warm water with lemon or baking soda (or to wash it in the dishwasher away from the heating element) to clean it.
If you’re salivating over the possibility of reading further into the studies of BPA, have at it:
A year or two ago, there was a lot of chatter about BPA (deadly? slightly harmful? no big deal?). Then SARS, anthrax, lead paint on toys, and most recently, H1N1, stole the spotlight, and BPA was unceremoniously shoved to the sidelines.
