This chemical, Bisphenol A, has shown up on my radar recently, first through this article:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070406.wbisphenolA0407/BNStory/National/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20070406.wbisphenolA0407

(sorry couldn't get the hotlink to work)

Basically, the debate is about whether this chemical, which leaches into water from PET bottles, is toxic or not. Independent scientists say yes. The plastics board and manufacturers say no. Part of the controversy seems to come from the fact that BPA acts like a wannabe hormone, and accordingly, it does more damage at low levels than at high levels (which have the opposite effect on hormone receptor sites).

By damage, the research suggests that BPA scrambles the cells in fetuses, causes breast and prostate cancer, as well as down syndrome etc. The doctors in the article were saying that they weren't waiting for a ban: they were removing all plastic from their homes and anticipating a legal battle akin to the "tobacco doesn't cause cancer" one.

This makes me nervous. Nalgene mentions BPA on its site and says it isn't dangerous. Platypus doesn't mention anything (I emailed them), but I am beginning to suspect that most plastics are made with BPA.

So two questions:

1) Have you heard of this / are you concerned?

2) If, in fact, BPA is a carcinogen, what are our options for carrying water into the bush?

Edited by kalten on 04/11/2007 08:41:50 MDT.

My wife and I have been very concerned about this issue as well. For day hikes/car trips we've gone to stainless steel. We got the following response from Cascade Designs:

Consumer,

Our Platypus line uses two layers of Bi-axially oriented nylon on the outside and an ultra linear low density polyethylene taste free liner. There are no BPA's (Bisphenol-A) present in our bags.

The ULLDPE inner (water contact) lining as well as hose lining are DEHP(phthalate) free and comply with FDA regulation 21 CFR 177.1520. The BON outer layer complies with FDA 21 CFR 177.1500, and the adhesive that bonds the two together complies with FDA regulation 21 CFR 175.105.
They can handle temperatures from below freezing to boiling as well as hand or machine washing with off the shelf detergents without the plastics leaching any toxins.

I hope this helps,
Aaron Kahle
Cascade Designs Inc.
4225 2nd Ave. South

Phthalates are also another issue and in all sorts of stuff and plastics including shampoo, lotions etc.

I got a similar message from Platypus. Does anyone know about the safety of plastic utensils such as the light my fire sporks?

Is the real concern just with cheap PET drink bottles?

Perin, Steve,
I inquired regarding Platypus bottles and got the same emailed response. As a scientist I am willing to accept the premise that bisphenol A is a carcinogen, and remove it from my food chain, but I haven't read anything I would consider valid evidence.
Perin, thanks for that link, but that article is internally contraditory, and simply wrong about other facts. It statest that Bisphenol A "scrambles eggs" (whatever that means), but then when the article has the chance to quote the study findings, egg damage is not among them. It also mentions huge increases in breast cancer (supposedly due to B.A.) when in fact breast cancer has been in steady decline in all age groups since 1990. See here for report:
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/NWS/content/NWS_1_1x_Breast_Cancer_Death_Rates_Dropping.asp

When the risk of bisphenol A rises above the noise level, and rises above the level of risks I accept in other activities/foods/drinks, I will definitely remove it from my diet. Thank you both for starting this discussion.

Take a look over at Snopes.com. They have some interesting articles to read on the matters. Basically, there is some truth in all the hype out there-but really, it isn't a huge risk when you look at the big picture. We use plastics in many areas in our lives, even in ways we are not aware of. Do take a look! It will help you feel safer about choices we face daily.

The See air Ah club report by Hunt stating, "If we wait for really hard evidence in humans, it will be too late..." made me fall out of my chair. Never mind evidence, just do as I say.

Another problem I have with the ENTIRE topic is the idea that you would wash lexan with "a harsh detergent not ordinarily used for that purpose."
When a petroleum solvent meets a petroleum based product what do we expect to happen? I'll wash my plastic bladders and bottles with elbow grease and a bottle brush, thank you.

http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/200311/lol5.asp

Cue the lemmings.

I'll step off my soapbox.
1. I have heard of this. I am not concerned.
2. Sigg bottles or Kleen Canteens.

You (or the article) got it wrong. Bisphenol A can leach out from polycarbonate (PC), not PET. Lexan is a commercial brand of PC. PET is actually a very clean plastic as compared to others...that is to say that there are not many additives, and not many things leach out.

Bisphenol is definitely a endocrine disruptor, meaning it acts as an artificial hormone (e.g., alligator penile size studies). Also, Bisphenol A has been shown to leach from PC. The question is whether the amount of Bisphenol A that typically comes out of baby bottle, Nalgene bottles (not all are PC), and 5-gallon water bottles is enough to cause problems. The main problem is thought to be with babies and pregnant women since infants are still developing, and these hormones can have large effects. The chemical is thought to pass through the uterine wall to the baby. Adults are able to counter these imbalances to some degree, and their bodies are past puberty.

Here is a link that discusses this topic. I can't vouch for the info in it. One of the big questions is whether very small concetrations can cause problems. That part of the argument is hotly debated. A recent study came out that states this is not a problem...however, there have been big lankmark studies that come out every few years on both sides of this issue.

http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/commentary/News/2003/2003-0430-SLPD-bpavomsaal.htm

I talked with a research at Case Western Reserve University (Prof. Patricia Hunt), and she shared some interesting comments with me. I'm not sure what the final answer will be, but there is enough data to make me look for alternatives.

Of course, smoking probably does more harm that bisphenol A. Grilling meat and cooking other foods at high temperatures can also create compiunds that have been linked to potential health issues.

I recommend keeping things in proportion.

Guyout Designs SS Bottles

Yeah, those bottles use metal, but what is the coating on the inside? I don't mean to dismiss your option or to say a priori that the bottles are bad, but some studies have shown migration of compounds from the internal coatings. Many of the current coatings are epoxy resins, based on bisphenol A. The other part is proving whether the compounds are harmful or not.

http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a713810504~db=all

http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/bisphenol/pubcomm/IIG_comments_BPA_interim.pdf

http://www.food.gov.uk/science/surveillance/fsis2001/bisphenols

The aluminum bottle are the only ones that may be coated, the SS bottles are untreated / coated.

BTW - You're links are about FOOD containers... not metal water bottles. Metal isn't coated by default, there are numerous reasons why SOME foods are sealed in coated cans (many are in cans that are uncoated). You're concerns would be much more applicable the the discussion of whether or not to use a Beer Can as a pot than to whether metal water bottles are safe.

BTW2 - Realize this is no attack on you, but this kind of 'linkage' is exactly how FUD is spread.

Edited by jdmitch on 08/16/2007 07:29:17 MDT.

Hey,
This is good discussion. People much smarter than me have been debating these issues. It's a good opportunity to learn something.

I didn't look at what the company said about coating. I had assumed that these were "beverage" bottles, which could hold water, wine, whiskey, etc., and might have some coating. It makes sense that there is no coating on these. Thank you for correcting me.

Back to the original post...I don't think the allowable limits of harmful compounds were based on someone drinking out of a "questionable plastic container" for only ~5 weekends out of the year, or for one thru-hike every 20 years. Also, the compounds will come out more quickly at elevated temperatures (i.e, pasturization or retort) and in the presence of agressive cleaning agents. That probably rules out most of us hiking slobs. Hard to believe that you need to select your water based on this concern.