Safe drinking water

This alert comes from the Oregon Environmental Council (OEC), an organization that generally does thorough scientific research before publishing information. From that link (emphasis mine):

“The company that makes Nalgene bottles, in partnership with Brita water filters (a subsidiary of the bleach manufacturing company Clorox), has launched various campaigns to cash in on the emerging “bottle your own water” trend, including their “filter for good” campaign. The problem is that most of the bottles Nalgene produces (including the one you receive if you participate in their pledge campaign) are made of polycarbonate or “lexan” plastic, identified by the #7 recycling symbol. These plastics contain bisphenol A, a potentially dangerous chemical known to leach into the water (or other beverage) you put in the bottle.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical found in #7 type plastics (look for the number in the recycling symbol on the bottom of your plastic bottles). BPA is a potent hormone-mimicking chemical that can disrupt the endocrine system at very low concentrations. Studies on lab animals have shown that at very low doses BPA can lead to a variety of adverse health effects such as reduced sperm count, impaired immune system functioning, increases in prostate tumor proliferation, altered prostate and uterus development, insulin resistance, alteration of brain chemistry, early puberty, and behavioral changes. Recent studies implicate bisphenol A in many of our biggest contemporary public health problems, including increases in diabetes and obesity, hyperactivity, and infertility.

A soon to be released OEC study found detectable levels of bisphenol A in 80% of Oregonians tested. This is significant in light of the findings that this chemical can produce negative health impacts at very low levels.”

The studies are linked, with more information, on the Oregon Environmental Council site. Their page continues:

“The good news is that there are plenty of alternatives to using #7 plastic. It is also worth noting that because bisphenol A is excreted from the body in a few days, eliminating the use of BPA-containing plastic enables people to dramatically reduce the amount of BPA found in their system in a very short period of time.

They suggest we use refillable stainless steel, lined aluminum, or #2 or #4 plastic bottles – often the opaque plastics, but check the number in the recycling sign.