| Canadian retailer stops selling polycarbonate water bottles |
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Canadian retailer, The Mountain Equipment Co-op, has decided to stop selling polycarbonate water bottles and food containes due to regulatory uncertainty regarding the safety of bisphenol-A, an ingredient used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastic. There is some concern that this chemical may leach into food and drinks stored in polycarbonate containers.
Bisphenol-A is a suspected endocrine disruptor which mimics the hormone, oestrogen. The Canadian Health Department is currently assessing the health effects of bisphenol-A and is expected to release it's preliminary findings in May 2008. Once this information is available, the Mountain Equipment Co-op will review it's stance on polycarbonate containers. Polyethylene (recycling code #4), glass and stainless steel water and food containers are good alternatives to those made from polycarbonate (recycling code #7) and are readily available from retail outlets.
Reference Mountian Equipment Co-op 2008 Polycarbonate Water Bottles Online, available at : http://www.mec.ca |