Nalgene bottles safe?

Q. What’s up with those old Nalgene bottles? A friend of mine said they were made with stuff that’s bad for you. Is that true? I still use one. Are they safe?
— Concerned Chris, Atlanta, Ga.

A. Although Bisphenol-A (BPA), the stuff in Nalgene’s classic polycarbonate shatterproof water bottles, has been used for nearly 50 years in products like baby bottles, water bottles and the lining of most metal food and beverage containers, some scientists found study results that suggest BPA could cause “potential health risks.” Government agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have found that polycarbonate is not harmful to humans. Still, Nalgene decided to phase out the old bottles. Today, they offer only water bottles made without BPA.

Should you toss out your old polycarbonate Nalgene bottle? The FDA says no, and not to worry. It’s a decision you need to make with the help of your parents. For more in-depth info on Nalgene and BPA, check these links:

• www.fda.gov
• www.nalgene-outdoor.com