Nalgene

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Nalgene is a manufacturer of bottles and other accessories used often in sports, camping and outdoor activity. The wide-mouth one-litre bottles are the most recognizable models in the company’s line, and are available in a variety of bright colours.

According to an Associated Press report, in late 2007, Mountain Equipment Co-op, a long-time vendor of Nalgene bottles, pulled the items from its shelves, amid fears that the kind of plastic used in these bottles is linked to health risks. This isn’t unique to Nalgene products, and in recent years other retailers, including Patagonia and Whole Foods, are reported to have pulled unrelated products made of the same material.

The plastic in question is polycarbonate plastic, and the problem (or one of them, anyway) is with the chemical Bisphenol A (BPA). Theoretically, BPA can leach out of plastics and be consumed by people. In the human system, it’s speculated that BPA binds to estrogen receptors and affects gene activity and other metabolic processes.

That BPA can be harmful doesn’t seem to be under much doubt. As recently as November 2007 (in Toxicology Letters ), and dating back many years, studies have indicated that not only does BPA present a health risk, but that plastic water bottles containing BPA are capable of contaminating food and beverages. What remains in doubt is the extent of the leaching, how that varies from product to product, and how different uses (hot liquids vs. cold liquids; how long the plastic has been used; how long your beverage has been stored in that container) play into the equation. As of December 2007, there hasn’t been any definitive study of Nalgene products and BPA leaching, to my knowledge.

Nalgene’s position on BPA is that their products are safe:

“Based on industry research and correspondence with our specific suppliers, Nalge Nunc International (NNI) considers our plastic products to be safe for use with human consumables, if molded from food grade resins and used properly. NNI does not consider any of the food grade resins, or molded products, a significant threat to human health due to endocrine disruptors potentially extracted from these plastics.”

Nalgene does acknowledge that its polycarbonate plastics do contain BPA, but references studies that suggest BPA extraction from food-grade plastics is well below what the Society of the Plastics Industry, United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Scientific Committee on Food of the European Union consider acceptable. Critics suggest, though, that those organizations need to revise their guidelines.

Nalgene’s colorful plastic bottles became popular because they’re lightweight, shatterproof, resists odors, and can accept boiling liquid without breaking. It’s worth noting, though, that Nalgene itself, as well as other manufacturers do manufacturer other bottles with similar properties, that are BPA-free. These bottles, made of HDPE, are milkier in appearance, and can be recognized by the #2 recycling symbol on the bottom (BPA plastic has a #7).
According to the Associated Press report, “Mountain Equipment Co-op is waiting for Canadian health regulators to finish a preliminary review in May before it reconsiders restocking its 11 stores with the reusable, transparent bottles made with bisphenol A, or BPA. “

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Nalgene has also found itself in other controversies in the past: as it is a manufacturer of laboratory cages and equipment, it has been targeted for boycott and protests by animal activists.