It looks like the familiar ‘Nalgene’ hard-plastic water bottle will no longer be the essential container for the hiker’s kit. Recent studies have raised questions of the safety of one of the chemical constituents of the plastic used for the Bottle construction.
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. … — Mountain Equipment pulls water bottles off shelves [1]
Recent studies link bisphenol A to obesity, breast and prostate cancer, and neurological disorders. [2]
Scouts Canada and its Shops are in the business of helping Canadian youth enjoy the outdoors and adopt healthy lifestyles. Our priority is always the safety of our youth members and volunteers. If the safety of a product we sell is put into question, we need to ensure we are doing everything possible to safeguard our customers’ well-being. [4]
To check and see if your bottle contains BPA just turn it over and look for a ‘7′ inside the recyling triangle design. This is not limited to ‘Nalgene’ branded products so check your other branded products as well.
[1] Mountain Equipment pulls water bottles off shelves (2007-Dec-07) [globeandmail.com]
[2] Two words: Bad plastic (2007-Aug-02) [Salon]
[3] BPA and NALGENE [Nalgene]
[4] Scout Shops Remove Products Containing Bisphenol A (2008-Apr-18) [Scouts Canada]
[] Nalgene BPA Announcement (2008-May-04) [KISMIF]
