An Interesting Film Coming to PBS May 13, 2008

The well publicized "disaster" that took place on Mount Everest in 1996 has been the source of heated debates and controversies since its first appearance in the media. It has been the focus of many articles and books, including successful novel Into Thin Air by climber and author Jon Krakauer. David Beashears, quite a legend in his own light, now helps add the visual aspect of the event with this new film set to air on PBS Frontline on May 13, 2008.

BPA: Nalgene Bottles & Your Health

As a frequent member of the outdoors community, I tend to get a lot of use out of specific equipment I use on various excursions. As a result, I naturally figure out which brands I prefer for different gear, and sometimes share these personal opinions with others; whether it is on the trails during a casual discussion, or in something I write or openly commend on this blog. However, some concern involving an important health issue has been expressed about particular brands of liquid containers (Nalgene®, Camelback®, etc.), which I had previously recommended over the years. While this is unfortunate, the health concern can be greatly reduced with some research and care when purchasing a product from these companies. Subsequently, to help out my friends and fellow excursionists outdoors, I am writing this article to give you an overview of what you should know about this health risk and how to avoid it.

What is the Health Risk?
The health concern for specific water containers such as Nalgene Original™ is the use of Bisphenol-A (BPA), which has been the target of numerous claims which state that the material may cause health problems. These problems range from reproductive failures such as miscarriage, to hyperactivity and obesity. However, an even larger concern is the possibility of the material’s ability to increase the risk of cancer. Nevertheless, according to the Food and Drug Administration, the threat of these health issues is not great enough to place a ban on the material from its current use.

How is BPA Used and Why is it Relevant to the Outdoors?
The material is used currently in many different plastic products, including the Nalgene Original™ bottle, which is often recommended for hikers, campers, climbers, etc. Due to the demand for containers and bottles required for continuous use, these name brands have been trusted and recommended over the years for numerous outdoor activities.

What is Being Done to Address this Issue and Which Items are Safe?
Nalgene® has created an informative page dedicated to sharing information about BPA, and has also gathered links including the official FDA statement on the material. To access this page, click here. In addition to the informative page, Nalgene® has also released information on which of their products still contain BPA, which you can access by clicking here. Currently, the only bottle which does contain the material is their Original™. Camelback® has also recently started advertising their products which do not contain BPA via stickers and print on the side of their bottles. Taking some extra time to look for these indications may be useful when purchasing a container or bottle for continuous use.

In Conclusion:
Due to the concern over the health issues regarding the use of Bisphenol-A, I urge my friends and fellow excursionists to do a little research before buying products, especially if they intend on using them for an extended period of time. Of course, this applies to every piece of equipment you purchase for your trips into the wilderness. I cannot stress enough how important it is to invest in proper equipment that will serve you the way you expect it to, and the best way to do this is get background information before buying something. Some products may be worth the brand name, and others may not, depending on what you intend to use it for. Take the additional time before spending the additional dime!