Nalgene Bottles Pulled From Shelves

Worries about the hormone-mimicking chemical bisphenol A (BPA) used in Nalgene plastic water containers have led a major Canadian retailer to remove Nalgene, along with other polycarbonate plastic containers, from store shelves in early December.

Although the colorful, durable, and lightweight Nalgene water bottles have been the choice of outdoor enthusiasts for years, scientific evidence has shown the plastic used to make these bottles may pose serious health hazards. Made from lexan polycarbonate resin, lexan was believed to be the ideal material for water bottles. It’s extremely durable and doesn’t allow odors or flavors to cling to distort the taste of whatever you store in it. It was also thought that lexan did not leach BPA -- a notion that has since been shown to be incorrect.

BPA is used to make hard plastic that’s used in numerous products including:

* Polycarbonate plastic baby bottles
* Large water-cooler containers and sports bottles
* Microwave-oven dishes
* Canned-food liners
* Some dental sealants for children

The compound, bisphenol A (BPA), is one of the most-produced chemicals in the world, and almost everyone has traces of it -- or more -- in their bodies. The most troubling problem with BPA is that it mimics the female hormone estrogen.

Your body is extremely sensitive to sex hormones, and miniscule amounts can induce profound changes. Therefore, scientists are afraid even low levels of BPA could have a negative impact on human health.

Moreover, there is evidence (among mice and rats) that even low doses of BPA can cause:

* Reduced testosterone levels
* Prostate disorders
* Hyperactivity
* Early puberty
* Increased fat formation
* Abnormal sexual behavior
* Disrupted reproductive cycles
* Structural damage to the brain

Yet, the FDA and the plastics industry continue to argue, despite the evidence, that BPA-based products, subjected to us and the environment for over 50 years, do not pose a health risk.

Dr. Cohen Note: Even though there is little dispute that BPA can disrupt the hormonal system. Even though an expert panel of researchers recently reported that after reviewing over 700 studies, that the potential for BPA to affect human health is a concern. And even though many Americans currently have higher levels of BPA than those found to cause harm in lab animals, the U.S. health and environmental regulators keep insisting there is no evidence of harm to human health!

As we have seen in the past with various medications and industrial products, the FDA and industry can not be trusted to protect anything other than their bottom line!

Estrogenic chemicals are at the root of many illnesses and unfortunately there is no end in sight to their use. They are cheap, functional and pervasive in many facets of modern industry. This is just another reason that is essential to assess your levels of estrogen whenever you are testing male hormonal health.

Next week: I will post information about how you can reduce your exposure to these estrogenic chemicals.