That's Fit

The last couple weeks were 'bad news' weeks for the controversial chemical BPA (bisphenol A) used in products such as baby bottles, polycarbonate water bottles (e.g., Nalgenes) and the lining of canned goods. The National Toxicology Program and the Canadian government have raised red flags over its safety, and many large retailers are pulling BPA-laden products from shelves. Then came the big surprise -- Nalge Nunc International Corp. backed down from strong consumer/market pressure and officially announced they would remove BPA from their Nalgene water bottles,.

After this move, I figured somebody would slap the maker-of-everything-Nalgene with a lawsuit. This past Tuesday, the first consumer class action lawsuit was filed -- by a California mom. Lani Felix-Lozano, mother of two daughters ages 11 and 13, alleges Nalgene continues to claim BPA is safe after a multitude of animal studies have linked the chemical to hormone disruptions, infertility, early puberty and cancer.

The lawsuit focuses on the premise Nalgene dowplayed the risks of BPA. On the company's website, Nalgene cites the Food and Drug Administration's stance that BPA is safe, but fails to cite many other studies revealing BPA's risks. Could you just imagine Nalgene's tremendous liability if Felix-Lozano wins this lawsuit? I'd hazard a guess a large majority of teens, young adults and middle-aged fitness fans own more than one colorful Nalgene made with BPA. I already recycled my evidence and have opted for BPA-free hydration instead -- but I think there's one lone, never-used Nalgene soldier rolling around the corner of my bedroom.

Anti-bisphenol A (BPA) consumers are shouting so loud, the manufacturing king of the popular Nalgene water bottle is finally listening. Consumers are snapping their wallets shut to BPA water bottles, and major Canadian retailers, the likes of WalMart Canada and Sears Canada, are pulling the BPA plug. It's looking like the market has forced Nalge Nunc International's hand to pull the chemical.

Nalge Nunc International announced today it will substitute BPA-free water bottles to replace its Nalgene Outdoor line, made with the controversial chemical. Over the next few months, bisphenol A-containing Nalgenes will be pulled from stores. The announcement is hardly out of the blue. The National Toxicology Program just stated concern over BPA's link to changes in behavior and the brain, early puberty and possible precancerous conditions in the prostate and breast in animal studies. Canada is likely poised to declare BPA toxic.

I'm not surprised by Nalgene's official PR dance surrounding the issue. The company's GM stated Nalgene believes their BPA-containing products are safe -- the new move is in response to customers requesting BPA-free alternatives. Environmental groups have been alarmed about BPA for years. Multiple animal studies link BPA to a host of ailments. Yet in the end, money talks.

Julie's Health Club recently wrote about the rising health concern over polycarbonate plastic (e.g., Nalgene). I first heard the buzz a couple months back when an acquaintance recommended my kids stop drinking from polycarbonate plastic water bottles. She said research is linking this type of plastic to hormone problems. My son sips from a kid-sized Nalgene every day during kindergarten snack.

Now Globe and Mail reports Canada's largest specialty outdoor-goods retailer, Mountain Equipment Co-op, is pulling polycarbonate plastic food and beverage containers from its shelves over health concerns. Polycarbonate plastic is made from bisphenol A (BPA), derived from petrochemicals and said to mimic estrogen. Independent studies have tied this chemical to illnesses potentially triggered by hormone disruption. Bisphenol A-makers state their research proves the chemical is safe.

According to Globe and Mail, Health Canada is embarking on its own assessment of the controversial chemical, with preliminary results due next spring. Mountain Equipment is following the controversy, and stated that concern over bisphenol A has risen among a portion of the company's membership. The retailer, with about $222 million in annual sales, charges a membership fee to customers.

Wow. When a retailer that large makes such a bold move, I am paying attention. I, too, am pulling that purple Nalgene out of my son's snack bag. To remain on the safe side, I will be purchasing water containers without bisphenol A. Nalgene does sell containers without the chemical, and I just wrote a post the other day on SIGG aluminum water bottles -- a choice to consider. SIGGs do not contain bisphenol A -- see this letter assuring this fact from SIGG USA's president, Steve Wasik, which I linked to via SIGG's frequently asked questions section of their website.