Sigg Water Bottles!

Time to throw away your water bottles... Try a Sigg bottle instead!

http://www.mysigg.com/

You may have heard that Canada recently banned Bisphenol A, a component of polycarbonate plastics, most commonly found in baby bottles and some reusable water bottles (Nalgene, etc.), and some other plastic bottles marked with #7. Since I've been drinking out of Nalgene's for years, I was alarmed and did some research on plastics in food. I try to avoid passing around alarmist information on email. But, I decided to share this because there are some easy things we can do to avoid exposure (and just eliminate the risk).

The bottom line:
Potentially harmful substances can leach out of some plastics into food and water that you ingest. Studies suggest that these substances may increase risks of cancer, diabetes, and behavioral changes. The risks are heightened in children. Heating plastics increases leaching rates.

SIMPLE STEPS TO AVOID RISKS:
Avoid eating food or drinking water from plastics labeled #3, 6, & 7.
Use glass containers instead of plastic to store left-overs
DO NOT reheat food in plastic containers
Don't let plastic wraps touch food-especially fatty foods-when reheating
Don't wash plastics in the dishwasher-the hot water increases leaching rates

For more info:

Good article about research of effects of Bisphenol A and its prevalence in products and our systems:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=plastic-not-fantastic-with-bisphenol-a&sc=WR_20080226

As reported by the New York Times, Canada has banned the substance:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/19/business/worldbusiness/19plastic.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=canada+ban+bisphenol+A&st=nyt&oref=slogin

Simple guide on plastics by number: http://www.checnet.org/healtheHouse/education/quicklist-detail.asp?Main_ID=353