Stainless steel water bottles are portable - and BPA-free
Bisphenol A, or BPA, has been in the news a lot lately.  According to a new article in USA Today, the National Institutes of Health will spend $30 million to study the safety of BPA, which is found in many water bottles. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration is expected to release its own assessment of BPA’s safety by the end of November.
Animal studies link bisphenol A with infertility, weight gain, behavioral changes, diabetes, and prostate and breast cancers. Although its presence in plastic water bottles has not yet been outlawed in the U.S., it may soon be. Some states, like Minnesota and Connecticut, have outlawed the presence of BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups.Â
Not to worry – not all reusable water bottles contain BPA. Following are the primary types of reusable water bottles, and the risks they carry.
Plastic Water Bottles
This type of water bottle is the most common carrier of BPA. Bisphenol A is commonly used to harden plastic to make it durable. Bottles with the recycling code 7 may include polycarbonate plastics, made with BPA. The most well-known manufacturer of these bottles in Nalgene, which has discontinued many of the BPA-containing bottles.
Aluminum Water Bottles
Aluminum water bottles are typically lined with plastic or epoxy which can contain BPA. Recently, Sigg and Laken aluminum bottles have been found to harbor BPA. Sigg especially has come under heavy fire from consumers because the Swiss company knew since June 2006 that its bottles contained BPA, but didn’t announce it until August of this year.
Stainless Steel Water Bottles
Stainless steel water bottles like Urban Canteen sells are BPA-free. They are made of food-grade 18-8 stainless steel and will not leach toxins or chemicals into the contents of your canteen.
Glass Water Bottles
Glass water bottles are also BPA-free. The Urban Canteen glass water bottle is also phthalate-free and lead-free. The bottle cap is made from a BPA-free plastic (recycling code 4) that is completely safe.
