Nalgenes pulled from shelves

The safety of Nalgene water bottles, which can be seen in stores downtown and attached to students’ backpacks, is being questioned after a controversial study said the bottles might cause adverse health effects.

The chemical Bisphenol-A (BPA) in Nalgene’s line of polycarbonate containers –– which include the wide-mouth and narrow-mouth hard bottles –– has been linked to neurological and behavioral complications including breast and prostate cancer, diabetes, obesity and reproductive failures including miscarriages in animals, according to The Associated Press.

However, Nalgene officials urge consumers that their products are safe and have been so for years. An official statement released by Nalgene on its Web site states, “We are confident that Nalgene polycarbonate bottles, which contain the chemical BPA, are safe for their intended use.”

Nalgene has also said on its Web site that the Food and Drug Administration has concluded the bottles are safe to use.

Regardless, Nalgene has decided to eliminate bottles containing BPA because of consumer concern and has introduced an “Everyday” line, which contains BPA-free bottles.

Nalgene also launched a “Choice” information resource center that provides information about BPA and allows consumers to choose the product they think is best for them among BPA and BPA-free bottles.

Andrea Schwander (sophomore-geography), who uses a Nalgene bottle, said it is a good thing Nalgene is giving consumers information on the issues.

“Without any information, I don’t want to make any decisions,” Schwander said. “That would just make me ignorant if I just trust it without question.”

Geoff Brugler, owner of Appalachian Ski & Outdoors, 123 S. Allen St., said he believes more research is needed before consumers can effectively make the choice about the bottles.

“The problem with this situation is that all the information is on the Web and there is no way to authenticate it,” Brugler said.

He added that if consumers are concerned, Appalachian Outdoors also carries a complete line of BPA-free bottles.

“We are moving away from the BPA bottles for three main reasons: We don’t want to sell anything that is unsafe, there are a lot more alternatives to choose from and finally, we want to be able to respond to what consumers are looking for,” Brugler said.

At Rapid Transit Sportswear, 115 S. Allen St., where Nalgenes are also sold, owner Terry Losch said he hasn’t received any direct information from the Nalgene Corporation that the bottles are unsafe.

“Once we receive notification, we will immediately pull them off the shelves,” Losch said.

Penn State Bookstore assistant store manager Rebecca Brouwer said she is also waiting for notification before they pull the bottles off the shelves for good. However, she added that she doesn’t know when that will be.

BPA is one of the most widely used synthetic materials in the world and is also found in dental sealant, baby bottles, food can liners, CDs, DVDs, eyeglasses and other household goods, according to The AP.

The Nalgene bottles in question are the hard polycarbonate bottles including brands loop-tops, N-Gen, OTG, Oasis, Grip ‘n Gulp and mini-grip.

They are especially popular for their durable plastic and variety of colors, according to Nalgene’s Web site.