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.