Originally a brand that only made plastic products for laboratory use like jars, Petri dishes, test tubes, etc., it was only later that Nalgene water bottles were marketed for outdoor sports and packaging uses.
The fact that Nalgene made plastic containers only for laboratories, where harsh chemicals need to be sustained, makes one question if that wide-mouth water bottle you love is safe to drink water from. Is Nalgene BPA free? Are Nalgene water bottles made of BPA-free plastic? Should you think about swapping them with stainless steel alternatives anytime soon? Read on to find out!
What Is Nalgene?
Nalgene is a US-based famous brand of plastic products that initially made items for laboratory use like jars, bottles, Petri dishes, test tubes, etc. As the concern for the environment grew, the brand verged into producing reusable plastic water bottles that may be used by bottled water brands like Aquafina or smartwater, by creating a separate line of Nalgene Outdoor products. But is Nalgene BPA free? Let’s find out!
Nalgene water bottles and BPA leaching? Is Nalgene BPA Free?
Is Nalgene BPA free? Yes, the contemporary Nalgene water bottles are BPA-free, however, it was not always like this. Nalgene Outdoor and the BPA controversy goes way back to the year 2008 when the company reportedly removed all its BPA products from the market as the Canadian government planned to declare BPA a toxic chemical. Before this, the Nalgene bottle was known for its clarity and durability because of the active use of BPA in its making.
Although the brand relinquished the use of BPA, at the same time it also adopted Tritan, a BPA-free copolyester made by Eastman Chemical. Unfortunately for the brand, Tritan contained Bisphenol S (BPS) which later proved to be as bad as BPA.
So, the contemporary BPA-free Nalgene water bottles claim to be a product of sustainable manufacturing that ensures the use of local and recycled goods, refraining from the use of both BPA and BPS.
What Is BPA?
Bisphenol-A (BPA) is an industrial chemical widely used in the plastic manufacturing industry and often found in the making of daily-use products like food containers, plastic water bottles, dental fillings, shop receipts, sippers, etc. BPA flared controversy when it was found out that it can leach off from the containers and into the beverages, having the potential to cause major damage to the health.
Are Nalgene’s BPA-Free Water Bottles Safe?
Yes, Nalgene bottles are BPA, BPS, BPF, and phthalates-free and safe to use. Yet that is not true for every product that claims to be BPA safe. Yes, growing awareness about the risks that BPA pose to our health has made many companies market their products with a BPA-free logo often accompanied with terms like “100% Natural” or “Non-toxic Plastic”, misleading the consumers into believing that the absence of BPA means safety.
However, that’s far from the truth. In an article by Endocrine News, Derek Bagley reveals how the production of BPA alternatives like BPS, BPF, and BPAF has started increasing. These alternatives are only minorly different from BPA, having the same base structure of bisphenols. Some are as bad as BPA, and others are even worse for the health.
Recent animal studies reveal how BPA alternatives are also hormonally active agents that can disrupt our endocrine system, causing hormonal imbalance and affecting reproductive health. Until and unless it is EDC-free, it is not safe. BPA-free only becomes a marketing tactic to save face if the products contain equally harmful substances that we have no knowledge about!
Who Owns Nalgene?
Nalgene is owned by Thermo Fisher Scientific, a subsidiary of Fisher Scientific.
Is Your Nalgene Bottle Made Of Recycled Materials?
Today, Nalgene claims to be the pioneer of reusable and sustainably made BPA/BPS-free water bottles. Nalgene’s famous wide-mouth water bottle is made from material derived from 50% plastic waste, thus claiming the use of recycled materials in the making of its products.
Conclusion
So, is Nalgene BPA free? Yes, it is. But does that mean it is safe to drink from? Now that is debatable! Although Nalgene refrains from using BPA/BPS and claims to be dishwasher safe and a pioneer of reusable water bottles, it is not known if any other endocrine disruptor isn’t used in the making of their water bottles. Until it’s EDC-free, it can’t be trusted with blind faith. The key is to keep your research socks on and your eyes open!
