BPA (Bisphenol A) in water bottles - concerns?

[wantmoremass]

I'm curious if any of you guys have heard about health concerns related to polycarbonate water bottles, and how many of you use them in the gym/elsewhere. The most common bottle made with this polycarbonate concoction containing bisphenol A (the allegedly offending ingredient) is from Nalgene. A big outdoor equpiment supplier coop in Canada has removed the bottles from their stock based on these health concerns. Independent studies have shown that Bisphenol A (it's in any water bottle with the recycling number 7 on it, including big spring water 5 gallon bottles typically) is related to hormone irregularities. Supposedly, it emulates estrogen and causes any effects related to exogenous estrogen influences.

I've stopped using my bottle for the gym, but need another solution for my desk at work. I guess there's always the glass milk bottle alternative.

Full text of an article is below, and the article is here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../National/home











Mountain Equipment pulls water bottles off shelves

Country's largest specialty outdoor-goods retailer cites concern over possible health risks

MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT

From Friday's Globe and Mail

December 7, 2007 at 3:00 AM EST

Mountain Equipment Co-op, the country's largest specialty outdoor-goods retailer, says it has pulled most food and beverage containers made of polycarbonate plastic from its shelves, citing concern over possible health risks.

The Vancouver-based firm been one of the largest sellers of such products as polycarbonate Nalgene water bottles, and probably has done more than any retailer to make the distinctive, brightly coloured containers an iconic product everywhere from backcountry campsites to urban offices and university campuses.

The retailer didn't issue a public announcement that it removed the containers, but made a decision to take action Monday and instructed staff to cart polycarbonate products out of stores Wednesday.

The plastic in question is made mostly from bisphenol A, which mimics estrogen and is derived from petrochemicals.
Polycarbonate Nalgene water bottles from Mountain Equipment Co-op

Polycarbonate Nalgene water bottles from Mountain Equipment Co-op
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water bottle

Pulling products

Mountain Equipment Co-op is pulling water bottles made of polycarbonate plastic from its shelves because of health concerns

It has been linked in dozens of independent research studies to illnesses that could be caused by hormone disruption. However, manufacturers of bisphenol A say their research shows the material to be harmless.

Health Canada is conducting an assessment of bisphenol A and trying to sort out the conflicting evidence. It expects to issue preliminary results of its review next spring, and a final report on the safety of the chemical in 2009. The Ontario government is also looking at the chemical.

Mountain Equipment said it will keep polycarbonate products out of stores, pending results of the federal review.

“The products have been pulled from the shelves and we're no longer selling them,” said Tim Southam, a spokesman for the retailer, which has 11 stores, annual sales of about $222-million and requires customers to pay a membership fee.

“We've been following this issue quite closely and it's one we've seen an increasing concern [about] among some members,” Mr. Southam said of the health controversy.

A spokesman for Nalgene's manufacturer, Nalge Nunc International Corp. of Rochester, N.Y., said it believes Mountain Equipment is the first major retailer in North America to pull its polycarbonate bottles based on health worries.

“From our perspective, it's certainly unfortunate because we feel there is a body of evidence” supporting the safety of the product, Eric Hanson said. He added that the retailer's action won't affect all of its products because the company also markets containers that do not contain bisphenol A.

Mr. Southam said Mountain Equipment, which is a big marketer of camping gear and outdoor clothing, doesn't expect to take a financial hit from the action because it is selling alternative products, such as stainless-steel water bottles. He wasn't immediately able to give the sales value of the affected items.

Environmental Defence, a Toronto group that has been lobbying Health Canada to ban bisphenol A from food and beverage uses, praised the retailer and said other companies should follow its lead.

“The fact that a retailer of this size, dealing in this volume of polycarbonate products, would make this decision should be a real wake-up call to other retailers,” Richard Smith, executive director of the group, said.

[ottomaddox]

I'm an Optician in northern California ,SF Bay Area, and I recently had a patient in that was concearned with BPA (Bisphenol A) and polycarbonate eyeglass lenses. He is a current prostate cancer patient.
Peace,
CR

[jrmy]

old thread,but since thers only one post,ill post as well.i first heard of this on youtube with some dude talking about plastics increasing estrogen.he was more of a seller/promoter trying to sell a blood test kit with consultations(175+195 lab fees.lol)
I decided to look this up,and boy wtf????fda imo needs to ban this.but then how many other chemicals are in our food.anything processed basically will have something thats impacts our health negatively.maybe this is why i have an hr glass like shape,(damn hip fat,am going to start cardio soon)since i drink from a plastic bottle every day,eat from plastic containers etc..any other post about this subject would be cool.