The Swiss manufacturer of a popular brand of reusable aluminum water bottle revealed last week that the coating on the inside of the bottles contained the controversial chemical BPA until August 2008 when the company quietly phased it out. Bipshenol A, usually referred to as BPA, is used to make polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. The chemical may be harmful the nervous and reproductive systems, especially of young babies.
| Update: Sigg to take back old bottles and replace for new BPA-free bottles. See below. |
BPA exposure from plastic water bottles.
Unresolved issues about BPA safety
The U.S. government does not consider BPA in food containers to be a health hazard but many world governments disagree. Canada has much stricter standards for BPA exposure and banned BPA in baby bottles.
According to the Environmental Working Group, 93 percent of American children and adults have daily exposures to BPA. Adult exposures have been lnked to risk of diabetes and heart disease and BPA may interfere with cancer treatment. BPA-containing liners of liquid formula-can may expose formula-fed babies to unacceptable levels of the chemical.
Polycarbonate water bottles are a significant source of adult exposure and stainless steel or aluminum bottles like Sigg's are often recommended to avoid BPA.
Sigg secretive about bottle liner composition
Sigg is under fire for declining to confirm the presence of BPA in responsing to the many pre-August 2008 inquiries as to the makeup of their bottle lining. Sigg has maintained that their tests reveal absolutely no BPA leaching from the bottle liners but never confirmed that BPA was in fact used in the liner until last week. Sigg went so far as to demand that the advocacy organization Environmental Working Group prove that company's products contained BPA before recommending that people avoid the brand in their green living guides.
Old vs. new liner in Sigg bottles
Sigg revealed the changes to the bottle liner in an August 2009 letter from CEO Steve Wasik on their website. The company also provided photos of the old and new bottles so customers can tell whether theirs was made with the BPA-containing lining.
| New Sigg EcoCare Liner |
Former SIGG Liner |
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Bottle photo and liner comparision table table courtesy of Sigg.
Unconfirmed reports that Sigg is exchanging old bottles for new
There are numerous reports on the Internet that concerned customers may exchange bottles with the old lining by contacting liners@mysigg.com. But this information is not on the Sigg web site.
| Update 9/4/2009: Sigg announced this week that it would replace old bottles if returned, at customer expense. Read the full story Sigg to take back BPA-lined bottles |
Comments
Why would anyone swap the old for new - who knows what the new liner is made of and how long it lasts. Once the liners break down, and it happens faster than Sigg admits - especially with the new liner, then your exposed to raw aluminum which is toxic.
Ugh. Why does their liner have to be plastic-based?
I just bought a Green Bottle. It's made of food-grade stainless steel and is BPA free! They have lots of cute designs. I would recommend them if you are looking to switch from aluminum to stainless steel. Their website is www.greenbottleonline.com
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