Nalgene Water Bottles Made Of Polycarbonate May Not Be Safe
The lighweight and very durable Nalgene bottle is made of a material called Lexan polycarbonate resin. This plastic polymer was developed by General Electric Plastics in 1953, when Dr. Daniel W. Fox was developing a polymer for wire insulation.
The polycarbonate plastic has been linked to an increase of aneuploidy, an abonormal defect of a loss or gain of chromosomes, which is a major cause of miscarriage, birth defects and Down Syndrome.
In 1998, at the Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, researchers who were studying birth defects and developmental abnormalities in mice witnessed a sudden increase
in mouse aneuploidy raised in polycarbonate cages. It was eventually traced to a lab worker, who had used a strong detergent to clean the mice cages and water bottles. The effects of the detergent caused the plastic to leach one of its constituent chemicals called bisphenol A (BPA). BHA has been shown in studies to mimic the female hormone estrogen. The researchers duplicated the detergent accident, with the same results.
It has been shown that BPA at levels which are lower than what is considered safe, has had an adverse effect on prostate development, tumors, breast tissue development, sperm count and enlargement of fat cells in the body.
Scientists are discouraging the use of polycarbonate for food and drinks.
Plastics which are not known to leach harmful substances and are safer to use for storing food and beverages include:
- Polypropylene, designated “#5 PP”
- High-density polyethylene, designated “#2 HDPE”
- Low-density polyethylene designated “#4 LDPE”
A polycarbonate product is identified by a “#7 PC” on its recycling logo.
So, forget about no. 7, get the Naglene drinking water bottle in no. 2, which is not clear plastic and looks like the one shown here.
Source: “Nalgene plastic may be harmful- Studies show that the popular water bottle may pose serious health risks” The Daily Barometer, 17 February 2004
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