What to do about Bisphenol-A(BPA)

Much has been made in recent months about the potential for reusable polycarbonate plastic bottles to leach bisphenol-A(BPA) into your water, baby formula or any other libation you tote around in there. For those weekend warriors and everyday environmentalists who have been using the same hard plastic water bottles for the past several years, this polysyllabic news is alarming and disheartening.

Unfortunately, the verdict is still out on the actual health effects of bisphenol-A, and depending on who you ask, the effects range from harmless to serious health risks. Discover Magazine’s recent article on BPA suggests that it may affect not only the children of mothers exposed to the compound during pregnancy, but their children as well. The article also explains why BPA does not act as a typical toxin, and has therefore been difficult for the FDA to classify as dangerous. Though Nalgene has taken the stance that BPA is safe, the company has posted a page on its site announcing a phase out of producing bottles that contain BPA. Given Wal-Mart’s decision to stop selling products containing BPA, arguments to the contrary have clearly gained traction.

So now what? Do you consider replacing your plastic water bottles with those made by SIGG or Kleen Kanteen? Of course, there is also the matter of what to do with your #7 bottles. The landfill is a bad option because these bottles will not biodegrade and may continue to leach BPA there. They are also difficult to recycle. Luckily you can recycle plastic #7 using Earth 911.