Here is what Nalgene has to say about BPA. As usual internet rumors have long legs.
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BPA and NALGENE
As a responsible manufacturer of polycarbonate consumer products, Nalge Nunc International has monitored scientific research concerning the safety of our products including Bisphenol-A for many years.
Based on the findings of the Food and Drug Administration, The Environmental Protection Agency, The American Plastics Council and other reliable sources from around the world, we continue to firmly believe in the safety of our products.
Nalge Nunc International also believes in providing its customers with the most factual information currently available on this subject. You can view the most up to date information here
Statement from the FDA, from a written communication dated January 29, 2008:
http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press_room/press_release/pr_bpa.html
http://www.stats.org/stories/2008/should_baby_bottles_feb9_08.html
The following reference sources are provided for customers wishing to perform additional research.
Frequently Asked Questions:
View our FAQ for answers to many popular questions.
Downloadable PDF's:
BPA and NALGENE (PDF 423 KB)
Polycarbonate Safety Studies (PDF 555 KB)
Additional Websites:
http://www.bisphenol-a.org/
http://www.acsh.org/factsfears/newsID.92/news_detail.asp
http://www.plasticsinfo.org/babybottles/index.html
http://www.epa.gov/endocrine/about.html
SNEWS article regarding BPA
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Nalgene is committed to the well being of everyone that uses our products. Therefore, we’ve compiled the following information to better inform our consumers on all of our products. We hope you find it useful and reassuring.
Q: Did Mountain Equipment Co-Op (MEC) remove all Nalgene products from its stores?
A: No. MEC removed food and beverage containers constructed of polycarbonate. MEC will continue to carry a wide range of Nalgene hydration products made from other materials, including HDPE, LDPE, PP and PET.
Q: Did Health Canada render a decision that resulted in MEC’s actions?
A: No. Health Canada is expected to issue preliminary results of its BPA analysis in May, with their final report due in 2009. We’re confident that when Health Canada completes its work, they will agree with all the important government agencies worldwide that have concluded that polycarbonate water bottles pose no health risk to humans.
Q. Are polycarbonate bottles safe?
A: Yes. Agencies and researchers worldwide have studied the safety of BPA and polycarbonate for approximately 50 years; including The Environmental Protection Agency and The Food and Drug Administration in the USA, The European Commission Scientific Committee on Food, The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Findings of studies from these agencies indicate that food and beverage containers manufactured from polycarbonate do not pose a health risk to humans. As a result, polycarbonate is used in a wide variety of consumer products including baby bottles, water bottles, dental sealants and the lining of most food & beverage containers.
Furthermore, several scientific panels including the European Union's Scientific Committee on Food, the National Toxicology Program and the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis have concluded that the weight of scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that low doses of BPA adversely affects human health. None of the large studies conducted have substantiated the claims made by those performing some of the smaller studies frequently cited.
Q: Where can I find reliable information on polycarbonate and BPA?
A: Consumers can visit the following web sites for more information:
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) study -
www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press_room/press_release/pr_bpa.html
American Chemistry Council -
www.bisphenol-a.org
Environmental Protection Agency -
www.epa.gov/endocrine/about.html
American Council on Science and Health -
www.acsh.org/search/home_result.asp
Nalgene -
www.nalgene-outdoor.com/technical/bpainfo.html
Q: Which government and regulatory agencies have reviewed polycarbonate?
A: Many government and regulatory agencies, including those listed below, have conducted comprehensive testing and review of polycarbonate and determined that it poses no health risk to humans.
The Environmental Protection Agency (USA)
The Food and Drug Administration (USA)
The European Commission Scientific Committee on Food
The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment
Japan Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare
Q: What is the latest government-sponsored research conducted on BPA and polycarbonate?
A: In early 2007, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced its findings regarding BPA. The study reviewed all available data from the last five years and concluded that people’s dietary exposure to BPA is well below the Daily Tolerable Intake Level. In fact, the study recommended raising the Daily Tolerable Intake Level. Read more on this study at
www.efsa.europa.eu/en/press_room/press_release/pr_bpa.html
Q: Does Nalgene offer products in other materials?
A: Yes. Nalgene has, and always will, offer a wide range of materials. Some of these materials include HDPE, LDPE, PP and PET. In an effort to consistently deliver the most comprehensive product offering, Nalgene will continue to develop both new products and new materials.
Q: Why does Nalgene use polycarbonate?
A: Many consumers prefer polycarbonate because of its unmatched ability to offer extraordinary durability, glass like clarity and resistance to stains and odors.
Q: Where are Nalgene bottles manufactured?
A: Unlike our major competitors, all Nalgene products are “Made in the USA”. As a US manufacturer, the business meets all applicable manufacturing standards, including ISO 13485, to ensure the quality and safety of its products.
