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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
The following reference sources are provided for customers wishing to perform additional research.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Downloadable PDF's:
Additional Websites:
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.
Question: Do metal bottles contain BPA?
Answer: Because aluminum is susceptible to corrosion, aluminum bottles utilize liners made with epoxy resins that may contain BPA. Nalgene does not sell aluminum bottles. In contrast, stainless steel bottles, including Nalgene Stainless Steel bottles, do not use liners of any kind and therefore do not contain BPA.
For more information on Nalgene Stainless Steel bottles, please go to
http://www.nalgene-outdoor.com/store/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=74.
Question: How do I tell if my metal bottle has an epoxy lining?
Answer: It is nearly impossible to identify just by looking inside your bottle. Stainless steel bottles do not contain linings of any kind. Aluminum bottles however, do contain epoxy linings. If you have further questions about aluminum liners, please contact your bottle supplier for more information.
Question: Where can I find more information on this topic?
Answer: The February 11th, 2009 online issue of Specialty News (SNEWS), the leading trade journal in the outdoor industry reported that aluminum bottles whose plastic liners are made with epoxy most likely contain BPA. The article cited Dr. John Rost, chairman of the North American Metal Packaging Alliance (www.metal-pack.org), who stated that all epoxies worldwide utilize BPA.
Question: How reliable are tests conducted on aluminum liners?
Answer: From our experience, consumers that are concerned about BPA aren’t interested in leaching tests, they are interested in materials that are BPA free, and demand confidence in manufacturers to provide the details on what’s inside their bottles. That’s why Nalgene offers metal bottles made only of surgical grade stainless steel, which do not use liners of any kind.
Question: Why is Nalgene transitioning from polycarbonate to other materials?
Answer: Nalgene's principle goal is to create reusable containers for a wide range of consumers; from hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to commuters and kids on-the-go. We are always looking for new materials and products that help us meet that goal. Our decision to phase out production of the Outdoor line of polycarbonate containers is in response to consumer demand for products that do not include Bisphenol-A (BPA).
We are confident that the bottles which contain BPA are safe for their intended use. However, because of consumer requests for alternative materials, we have decided to transition our polycarbonate product line to Eastman Tritan™ copolyester. This product joins our family of bottles and containers made of various non-BPA materials such as HDPE, PP, LDPE and PET.
Through our Nalgene Choice program, we already offer the broadest product line in the industry, with a range of BPA free bottle and container choices to meet the needs of every consumer. Our website (www.nalgenechoice.com) offers consumers a clear guide to research the product and material that fits their needs.
Based on the findings of the Food and Drug Administration, The Environmental Protection Agency, The European Food Safety Authority, The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, The Japan Ministry of Health, Labor & Welfare, The American Plastics Council and other reliable sources from around the world, we continue to firmly believe in the safety of our products containing BPA. However, we intend to carefully monitor the results of the National Toxicology Report and the Canadian government's inquiry into this issue and any other relevant scientific information.
Question: Is this a product recall?
Answer: No. We proactively made this decision to transition from polycarbonate to Tritan and our family of bottles and containers made of various non-BPA materials such as HDPE, PP, LDPE and PET to respond to consumer requests for alternative materials. It is important to us that we respond to consumer concerns in a timely and effective manner by offering a product line that is BPA-free.
Question: Are other Nalgene consumer products manufactured with BPA?
Answer: No. We manufacture consumer bottles and containers in HDPE, PP, LDPE, PET, and most recently, Eastman Tritan copolyester and Stainless Steel (by Guyot Design). Each of these materials is manufactured without BPA.
For more information on each of these materials, we have created Nalgene Choice (www.nalgenechoice.com), an online information resource designed to provide consumers with accurate and detailed information about the features and benefits of Nalgene's full product line and materials.
Question: Are polycarbonate bottles safe?
Answer: 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. Polycarbonate is used in a wide variety of consumer products including baby bottles, water bottles, dental sealants and the lining of most metal food and beverage containers and has been for over 45 years.
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. Health Canada and the United States' National Toxicology Program (NTP) are completing their investigations of the scientific data compiled to date. Both identify "some concern" (NTP, 2008) for "potential health risks" (Health Canada, 2008) relative to neural and behavioral effects in early stages of development, based upon several of the animal studies reported, but have concluded the data are too uncertain at this time to draw any conclusions as to possible effects in humans at early developmental stages. Each will release separate final reports later this year. We intend to carefully monitor the results of any other relevant scientific information.
Question: Where can I find reliable information on polycarbonate and BPA?
Answer: Consumers can visit the following web sites for more information:
Question: Which government and regulatory agencies have reviewed polycarbonate?
Answer: Many government and regulatory agencies, including those listed below, have conducted comprehensive testing and review of polycarbonate and determined that it poses no known 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
Question: Why does Nalgene use polycarbonate?
Answer: Many consumers prefer polycarbonate because of its unmatched ability to offer extraordinary durability, glass like clarity and resistance to stains and odors. And polycarbonate has been widely used by many companies throughout the food and beverage industry, as well as other consumer products, for over forty-five years.
Question: Where are Nalgene bottles manufactured?
Answer: 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.
Question: What does the #7 represent?
Answer: Most plastic containers are marked (usually on the bottom) with a number within a triangle with arrows ñ commonly known as a recycling symbol. These numbers, known as the resin identification coding system, were created in 1988 to facilitate recycling programs across the country. These recycling numbers can range from #1 to #7, depending on the type of plastic. The #7 recycling label is a catchall indicator for plastics made with a resin other than those in the #1 to #6 designations, or made of more than one resin. The #7 category not only includes polycarbonate, but also includes compostable plastics made of organic material and other types of plastic that do not necessarily contain BPA (Bisphenol-A). For example, our new Everyday™ line manufactured with Eastman's Tritan™ copolyester is a #7, but does not include BPA.
For more information regarding types of plastics and recycling codes, please feel free to visit the following link: http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/bin.asp?CID=1102&DID=4645&DOC=FILE.PDF.
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