Newsflash - Nalgene To Stop Using Toxic Chemical
Just wanted to share an update on a concern that I mentioned in my recent post, Say "Buh-Bye" to Bottled Water. At the time of writing, there was still some debate over whether or not BPA, one of the ingredients used to make Nalgene bottles and many other plastics, was truly a toxic chemical.
"My decision to ditch our Nalgenes came after I read the news stories about polycarbonate plastic bottles leaching bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that mimics the hormone estrogen and may be linked to increased cancer risks, infertility, autism, and developmental problems. There is still debate over how serious the risk is but I figure there's no need to keep drinking from a plastic bottle while the scientists hash it out with the plastics industry lobbyists, right?"
But it seems that the debate is finally over.
A recent New York Times article announced that Nalgene will stop using BPA in its products. The Times reports that Nalgene's decision, "came after reports that the Canadian government would declare the chemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, toxic. Some animal studies have linked the chemical to changes in the hormonal system. Those reports also prompted many of Canada’s largest retailers, including Wal-Mart Canada, to remove food-related products made with plastics containing the compound chemical, like baby bottles, toddler sipping cups and food containers, from their stores this week."
Hurray for Canada - way to protect public health! (Some might say Wal-Mart may be equally responsible for Nalgene's decision but I refuse to cheer for Wal-Mart.)
If you've been holding on to your old Nalgene bottle, please recycle it now.
Although this is encouraging news, Nalgene is going to replace BPA with another chemical and I have a hard time believing that plastic can ever be as safe as metal. So rather than wait for Nalgene's new plastic bottles to hit the shelves, why don't you go get yourself a stainless steel water bottle (and getnone for your toddler while you're at it, too)?
Click here to read my full post about breaking the bottled water habit.
"My decision to ditch our Nalgenes came after I read the news stories about polycarbonate plastic bottles leaching bisphenol-A (BPA), a chemical that mimics the hormone estrogen and may be linked to increased cancer risks, infertility, autism, and developmental problems. There is still debate over how serious the risk is but I figure there's no need to keep drinking from a plastic bottle while the scientists hash it out with the plastics industry lobbyists, right?"
But it seems that the debate is finally over.
A recent New York Times article announced that Nalgene will stop using BPA in its products. The Times reports that Nalgene's decision, "came after reports that the Canadian government would declare the chemical bisphenol-a, or BPA, toxic. Some animal studies have linked the chemical to changes in the hormonal system. Those reports also prompted many of Canada’s largest retailers, including Wal-Mart Canada, to remove food-related products made with plastics containing the compound chemical, like baby bottles, toddler sipping cups and food containers, from their stores this week."
Hurray for Canada - way to protect public health! (Some might say Wal-Mart may be equally responsible for Nalgene's decision but I refuse to cheer for Wal-Mart.)
If you've been holding on to your old Nalgene bottle, please recycle it now.
Although this is encouraging news, Nalgene is going to replace BPA with another chemical and I have a hard time believing that plastic can ever be as safe as metal. So rather than wait for Nalgene's new plastic bottles to hit the shelves, why don't you go get yourself a stainless steel water bottle (and getnone for your toddler while you're at it, too)?
Click here to read my full post about breaking the bottled water habit.
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