Water Bottle Review

Choosing a BPA-free water bottle

Reusable water bottles have come under close scrutiny now that studies have shown that certain plastics can leach chemicals into liquids. Bisphenol A, also called BPA, is the main concern, since this chemical has been linked to cancer and other diseases, according to the Environmental Working Group (EWG). BPA is a common chemical that is used to strengthen polycarbonate plastics and is also used in the epoxy resin linings of almost all canned goods.

This chemical is so widespread that a study conducted in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control found traces of BPA in the urine of 97 percent of people they tested. BPA reportedly has hormone-like properties, and the EWG notes that BPA has been associated with reproductive problems, cancer, diabetes, obesity and early puberty. However, the chemical industry and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take the position that BPA exposure from plastics is too low to cause adverse health effects. The FDA does not currently recommend that consumers stop using items containing BPA.

In April 2008, Canada became the first country to ban BPA from use in baby bottles. Subsequently, most of the large water bottle makers, including CamelBak and Nalgene, have introduced water bottles that are not made with BPA. Large retailers like Wal-Mart and REI have also stopped selling polycarbonate bottles. Consumers now have a great selection of water bottles that are BPA-free, including aluminum, stainless-steel and BPA-free plastic water bottles.

When evaluating water bottles, we give the greatest weight to reviews that conduct comparative testing of a variety of BPA-free bottles. The best -- and most recent -- comparative tests come from Good Housekeeping, The Great Outdoors magazine and Wired. All of these publications review multiple water bottles, testing them for durability, style and usability. Men's Journal and The New York Times also conduct comparative tests, but they are a little less detailed. Slate.com and the blog Gardenaut have good tests, but they aren't as recent as those mentioned above. User reviews are also very valuable for evaluating water bottles. Amazon.com and Buzzillions.com provide the most coverage, with some bottles attracting hundreds of individual reviews.

Choosing between plastic or metal water bottles

Given the concern over BPA in polycarbonate water bottles, major brands have been quick to look for alternatives. For most manufacturers, that alternative is Eastman Tritan copolyester, which is said to be free of BPA. Major companies like Nalgene and CamelBak are now using Tritan plastic to make their BPA-free water bottles. However, these manufacturers will not disclose exactly what is in Tritan copolyester, so many critics say there is no way to tell if these plastic water bottles are safer than those made with polycarbonate plastic. Sheryl Eisenberg, an advisor to the Natural Resources Defense Council, says of such plastic bottles that "we have no way of knowing because the ingredients that make up Tritan have been kept secret." Likewise, Aaron Freeman from Environmental Defence -- the nonprofit that led the charge against BPA in Canada -- tells The New York Times that "this may be a completely safe product, but we don't have the information we need to make that assessment." As a result, Freeman says his organization recommends stainless-steel water bottles.

There are benefits to plastic water bottles. Plastic water bottles are cheaper than metal bottles, and they are more durable. Metal water bottles, including those made from aluminum or stainless steel, can dent easily, while plastic water bottles can survive most falls. Plastic bottles are also lightweight and easier to use for sporting activities. Still, some people may feel more comfortable sticking with metal water bottles until further research has been conducted on BPA and plastic bottles. Experts agree that any reusable water bottle, whether it's BPA-free plastic, aluminum or stainless steel, is better for your health and the environment than reusing disposable water bottles.