Water Bottle Warnings: Science or Sensation? at Her Active Life

Click here for the Lead Stories

Water Bottle Warnings: Science or Sensation?

Posted December 13, 2007 at 05:00 PM by Katie Drummond

Section: Her Health, Her News

Nalgene Many health conscious people make staying hydrated a top priority, often toting plastic water bottles in purses or backpacks to make drinking up a convenient priority. Unfortunately, this effort to do right by their bodies may actually have been harming them, at least according to the research that prompted new recalls of Nalgene polycarbonate water bottles last week. But how sure are researchers that the bottles do pose a health risk? And what can you do to stay hydrated safely?

The Canadian outdoor apparel store, Mountain Equipment Co-op, pulled Nalgene bottles and other polycarbonate plastic containers from their shelves, and is telling consumers to return old bottles for a refund. The reason? Recent studies have shown a link between a compound in the plastic, called bisphenol A, and a variety of cancers (including breast and prostate cancer), premature puberty, and lowered testosterone levels in animals.

In the U.S., The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences panel of 38 scientists found that most people are exposed to a level of the chemical at levels higher than those that cause problems in animal studies, and a National Toxicology Program panel concluded that bisphenol A exposure to fetuses and children could create behavioural and nervous system problems.

However, neither Health Canada nor the FDA have issued national recalls of products made with polycarbonate plastics, which include water bottles, storage containers, and some food packages. The plastics tend to be harder than the soft, recyclable bottles or containers used for bottled beverages and most foods on grocery store shelves. A full report on the health risks and safety of polycarbonates will be released in 2009.

Rick Smith, executive director of Environmental Defense, a national group that has been lobbying Health Canada to ban bisphenol A, said MEC’s removal of polycarbonate products will likely catalyze more retailers to do the same.

“The writing is on the wall for this chemical,” he said. “There’s no way that a product can lose this degree of consumer confidence and remain a viable business prospect.”

Some bottle manufacturers have acknowledged that over time, bisphenol A from the containers can leech into the contents, albeit in extremely small quantities, Mr. Smith said.

“The only thing the industry argues about is whether the levels that end up in our bodies are harmful or not,” he said.

While there aren’t any sure answers yet, you can play it safe by skipping the Nalgene and toting your water in aluminum bottles, now being sold at most retailers who also carry Nalgenes. These bottles tend to be pricier, but they are extremely durable and offer the same convenience as a Nalgene - without any health risks. Also take a look at other firm plastic containers you have around the house, including food storage systems and baby bottles, as some many contain polycarbonates as well.

17 comments, add yours |

Permalink |

Share this article

Tags: bisphenol a, cancer prevention, carcinogens, nalgene, nalgene recall, plycarbonate water bottle, product recalls, water bottles, water safety, women's health

Like what you see? Subscribe to our feed!

17 Responses to “Water Bottle Warnings: Science or Sensation?” (Leave a reply)

Jay said:

Are squeezable water bottles used while biking - they are a bit softer, and tupperware also vulnerable?

Thanks
Jay
January 5, 2008 at 07:34 PM
incaltaminte protectie from russia said:

I don’t think that water bottles are toxics because they are tested many time before releasing on the market?
January 14, 2008 at 05:45 AM
jan from canada said:

Use aluminum drinking bottles? Wasn’t one of the last health scares about getting Alzheimers from aluminum sources....pots,deodorant etc.??
January 19, 2008 at 11:13 AM
Brandi from USA said:

I saw a recall on the aluminum bottles because there was lead found in the paint the was used on the outside of them. Just a little info for everyone
January 30, 2008 at 07:57 PM
Vince Delmonte said:

It seems like nothing is save these days. Now they are saying that baby bottles, and essentially any plastics that are heated or cooled can release chemicals.
April 3, 2008 at 02:15 PM
Summer from Denver said:

Scary!

Polycarbonates (brand name Lexan) have a 1 or a 7 in the triangle on the bottom of them. Polypropylene usually have a 2 or a 5 (high density or HDPE and low density LDPE polypropylene). As for now, they say that polypropolene is safe.

Polycarbonates leech the chemical (which is a hormone disruptor) into foods and beverages as it breaks down. This happens naturally but it happens even faster when heated, washed or an acidic food or beverage comes in contact.
Nalgene suggests rinsing their bottles with a small amount of bleach to clean! Again, this breaks down the plastic quicker.
The hard colored plastic Nalgene bottles are polycarbonate but the old translucent white ones with the blue tops are not. Many popular brands of baby bottles are also made from polycarbonate. Any shatterproof, hard plastic can be polycarbonate.
Most tupperware is not, but again, keep an eye out for 1 and 7 or the letters PC for polycarbonate.

Options: Stainless steel water bottles, sippy cups etc., glass storage containers, glass water bottles (for desk or general use, not great for hiking) Glass baby bottles (some even have a silicone sheath that does not come in contact with the liquid inside but prevents slips and protects breaks.

Good luck!
April 4, 2008 at 04:29 PM
water damage restoration from around said:

Basically, good hygiene is a must for ANY container. Not just plastic. And, the bacteria issue comes into play once ANY container is unsealed for the first time.
April 22, 2008 at 12:19 PM
robert from new zealand said:

Hey, Denver! You’re a little mistaken there about your plastics! HDPE (2) and LDPE (4) are both polyethylene. Polypropylene is 5, and polystyrene is 6. The number 7 is reserved for ‘other’ and that’s where polycarbonate fits. The number 1 is PETE, which I can’t spell and can barely say.

Anyway, I hung out with plastic engineers in college. You could just read the wikipedia article on it:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resin_identification_code

cheers!
April 23, 2008 at 01:00 AM
Betty from Mississipi said:

Is there any safe plastic water bottles?
April 27, 2008 at 06:42 PM
Persönlichkeitstraining said:

Scary .. just scary -
May 2, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Warren from Saskatoon said:

Remember this.... 5,4,1,2 the rest are not good for you.

So 7, 3, 6 generally should be avoided. 7 because of BPA scares and unknown plastic content. 3 is PVC/Vinyl, a possible human carcinogen and 6, polystyrene (styrofoam), is a known carcinogen to humans. In Canada, your 7-11 big gulp cups are made of #3.

Use stainless bottles with #5 plastic threads/lids.
May 3, 2008 at 06:23 AM
Mold Testing from delhi said:

Hello. I just stumbled upon your website and there’s some good information here. http://www.911restoration.com is an interactive website delivering news and information to the Mold Testing, Fire Damage Restoration, Flood Damage, Property Damage Restoration, etc.. If it’s alright with you, I’d like to stop in from time to time and I’ll link to information here that our readers might find valuable. Thanks!
May 30, 2008 at 04:00 AM
Rick from New Jersey said:

Regarding aluminum....yes, aluminum is generally considered unsuitable for storing potable liquids. This especially goes for liquids high in acidity. The way around this is to coat the inner surface of the vessel with a barrier which is safe for contact with such liquids.
While researching the best reusable bottles I found many different brands, most going after the market that 100 year old Swiss maker Sigg developed. Sigg claims to use a water based, flexible coating that is FDA approved to coat the inner surface of their extruded aluminum bottles. My concern is that many of the “copy cat” products are made in China. I’m not against competition however, even though some Chinese bottles claim to possess the same safe barrier coat qualities as Sigg, I remain skeptical. Think about the pet food and Pharma debacles of recent memory. Remember, this is just a personal concern and not based on testing or scientific study.

For now I’m likely to go with a high quality stainless steel bottle. No inner coatings or exterior paint jobs.

BTW, great plastics info above and +1 on the “good hygiene is a must for ANY container”.
June 5, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Rick from New Jersey said:

To add; I’ve attached a link to a popular stainless steel bottle manufacturer. Lots of good info regarding this subject. I have no affiliation or financial interest in this company. Hope this helps.
June 5, 2008 at 10:56 AM
Rick from New Jersey said:

http://www.kleankanteen.com/7faqs/faqs.html
June 5, 2008 at 10:57 AM
rain water tanks said:

all the water bottles out there, even the mineral water bottles we buy from the store comes in plastic bottles. yes, we should not use plastics but is is better to stay thursty or to drink from a plastic bottle?
June 19, 2008 at 05:47 PM
L R from New Mexico said:

Several years ago, before the BPA info hit the market, I was told that the interior of many metal bottles are coated with plastic. So, when buying metal, check to see if it has an interior plastic coating, and if so, what type.
July 12, 2008 at 02:18 AM