plasticizers

“TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's largest outdoor-goods chain has pulled
water bottles and food containers made of polycarbonate plastic from its
shelves over worries about the chemical bisphenol A, which has been
linked to cancer and reproductive problems in animals.

Vancouver-based Mountain Equipment Co-op became the first major
Canadian retailer to stop selling products that contain bisphenol A over
fears the chemical can leach from plastic food and water containers.

"Inconclusive science and regulatory uncertainty presently surrounds
bisphenol-A (BPA)," the company said in a statement.

"For these reasons, MEC has stopped selling polycarbonate water
bottles and food containers until guidance is provided by the Government of
Canada on the health risks posed by BPA."

The Canadian co-operative joins U.S.-based Patagonia in dropping the
products because of health concerns.

The chemical, which can mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen in
cells, has been surrounded by controversy. Some North American
researchers and environmentalists have shown it can cause several types of
cancer as well as developmental, neural, behavioral and reproductive harm
in animals.

Industry says the products are not dangerous, citing studies from
government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that
food and beverage containers manufactured from polycarbonate do not pose a
health risk to humans.

"Rarely has a chemical been the subject of such intense scientific
testing and scrutiny, and still, important agencies across the globe
agree that there is no danger posed to humans from polycarbonate bottles,"
said Tom Cummins, spokesman for Nalgene and Nunc Brand Products, which
manufacturers the popular Nalgene polycarbonate water bottles.

Besides hard-plastic water bottles, bisphenol A is also used in some
baby bottles and the linings of some food cans, including most major
brands of infant formula, according to a study co-released this week by
Environmental Defence Canada and the Washington-based Environmental
Working Group.

"We have study after study showing that this chemical is toxic,...
and there are safe and available alternatives that are affordable," said
Aaron Freeman, policy director of Environmental Defence Canada.

Canada's health department declined to comment before it releases
preliminary results of a review of the chemical's effects next spring.

"We are looking at as much research as we can to make a very
science-based assessment," said Joey Rathwell, a spokeswoman for Health Canada.

Norway and the European Union are also reviewing the product.
Japanese manufacturers decided voluntarily to stop making products using
polycarbonate plastic five to six years ago.

(Reporting by Claire Sibonney; editing by Janet Guttsman)

I had heard about this on CBCRadio (www.cbc.ca, click on radio and search 'plasticizers', also Google 'plasticisers') on Quirks and Quarks and again when NCPR broadcast the same show. The above story appeared on Yahoo.ca when I logged in to get my mail yesterday.

I am not a believer in the 'Culture of Fear', but this does seem serious. In fact it's serious enough that plastic containers all have a code indentifying the plasticiser used. I was surprised to learn that and also that ther are 7 codes with 1, 2, 4 & 5 considered acceptable, 6 & 7 unacceptable with 3 being the worst.

I looked at the containers at a friend's place who buys bottled water (a curse IMO) and his container did indeed have a triangle with the number 5 in it - acceptable. When I got home I checked my containers and they had 5 in the triangle as well - Ziploc rigid food containers, Chinese take-away containers, as well as grocery store containers; the exception being a 2 litre ice cream tub that I use for freezing my soup - it had a 2. My Nalgenes do indeed had a 7.

Now, we all know the fits the food industry throws over labelling regulations and modifications, yet here was a seemingly universal coding system that I knew nothing about.

Here goes; what do you all think?”

“TORONTO (Reuters) - Canada's largest outdoor-goods chain has pulled
water bottles and food containers made of polycarbonate plastic from its
shelves over worries about the chemical bisphenol A, which has been
linked to cancer and reproductive problems in animals.

Vancouver-based Mountain Equipment Co-op became the first major
Canadian retailer to stop selling products that contain bisphenol A over
fears the chemical can leach from plastic food and water containers.

"Inconclusive science and regulatory uncertainty presently surrounds
bisphenol-A (BPA)," the company said in a statement.

"For these reasons, MEC has stopped selling polycarbonate water
bottles and food containers until guidance is provided by the Government of
Canada on the health risks posed by BPA."

The Canadian co-operative joins U.S.-based Patagonia in dropping the
products because of health concerns.

The chemical, which can mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen in
cells, has been surrounded by controversy. Some North American
researchers and environmentalists have shown it can cause several types of
cancer as well as developmental, neural, behavioral and reproductive harm
in animals.

Industry says the products are not dangerous, citing studies from
government agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration that
food and beverage containers manufactured from polycarbonate do not pose a
health risk to humans.

"Rarely has a chemical been the subject of such intense scientific
testing and scrutiny, and still, important agencies across the globe
agree that there is no danger posed to humans from polycarbonate bottles,"
said Tom Cummins, spokesman for Nalgene and Nunc Brand Products, which
manufacturers the popular Nalgene polycarbonate water bottles.

Besides hard-plastic water bottles, bisphenol A is also used in some
baby bottles and the linings of some food cans, including most major
brands of infant formula, according to a study co-released this week by
Environmental Defence Canada and the Washington-based Environmental
Working Group.

"We have study after study showing that this chemical is toxic,...
and there are safe and available alternatives that are affordable," said
Aaron Freeman, policy director of Environmental Defence Canada.

Canada's health department declined to comment before it releases
preliminary results of a review of the chemical's effects next spring.

"We are looking at as much research as we can to make a very
science-based assessment," said Joey Rathwell, a spokeswoman for Health Canada.

Norway and the European Union are also reviewing the product.
Japanese manufacturers decided voluntarily to stop making products using
polycarbonate plastic five to six years ago.

(Reporting by Claire Sibonney; editing by Janet Guttsman)

I had heard about this on CBCRadio (www.cbc.ca, click on radio and search 'plasticizers', also Google 'plasticisers') on Quirks and Quarks and again when NCPR broadcast the same show. The above story appeared on Yahoo.ca when I logged in to get my mail yesterday.

I am not a believer in the 'Culture of Fear', but this does seem serious. In fact it's serious enough that plastic containers all have a code indentifying the plasticiser used. I was surprised to learn that and also that ther are 7 codes with 1, 2, 4 & 5 considered acceptable, 6 & 7 unacceptable with 3 being the worst.

I looked at the containers at a friend's place who buys bottled water (a curse IMO) and his container did indeed have a triangle with the number 5 in it - acceptable. When I got home I checked my containers and they had 5 in the triangle as well - Ziploc rigid food containers, Chinese take-away containers, as well as grocery store containers; the exception being a 2 litre ice cream tub that I use for freezing my soup - it had a 2. My Nalgenes do indeed had a 7.

Now, we all know the fits the food industry throws over labelling regulations and modifications, yet here was a seemingly universal coding system that I knew nothing about.

Here goes; what do you all think?”

“Sorry about posting twice - I must have clicked on the wrong category. I don't get 'Fuego' and so didn't see it.

Does anyone know how to change the category to 'Gear'?”

“So is this the hard plastic or soft plastic Nalgenes?”

“Seems to be hard...

"Besides hard-plastic water bottles, bisphenol A is also used in some
baby bottles and the linings of some food cans, including most major
brands of infant formula..."

This is a bit disconcerting since I prefer using Nalgene bottles...”

“This affects all brands of polycarbonate containers. I'd prefer a good grade of stainless steel if I could find it.”

“Looks like it's time to switch to Sigg...

Dammit! I like the way my Hiker fits on those Nalgenes!!!!!!”

“Well Hell............I am selling my collection. I own every color of Nalgene I can find and even have many of the personal logo ones as well........

Can I get a check from the Government like the Alcoholics get a check? Can I get a refund!

Na.........I am going to send them to China..........”