After my last plastic water bottle (Nalgene) took on a smell (and taste) of a riverbottom as a result of sitting 1/4 full in my jeep for a week, I attempted to clean the bottle with a variety of methods, all of which failed miserably. After a valiant effort to save the bottle, it was, alas, sent to the trash this evening.

As it turns out, plastic bottles can be pretty bad.

In 1998, Dr. Patricia Hunt of Case Western University in Ohio discovered that plastics made from polycarbonate resin can leach bisphenol-A (BPA), a potent hormone disruptor. BPA, a chemical found in epoxy resin and polycarbonate plastics, may impair the reproductive organs and have adverse effects on tumors, breast tissue development and prostate development by reducing sperm count. (whole study here: http://scholar.google.com/url?sa=U&a...ia_oocitos.pdf)

Um....that's bad, right?

As I set forth on a mission to find a METAL replacement (for health reasons as much as anything else), and having read the thread on the SIGG water bottle, I found myself in a bit of a "goldilocks" situation.

First, there was the one that was TOO EXPENSIVE:

That's a titanium flask for $104.90 at Backcountry.com. YOW.

Then over at 4imprint.com they had this interesting bottle:



But it only holds 24 Oz - and they required a minimum order of 75 pieces - $549.25! - Maybe if we could get 75 equipped folks to buy.... but 24 oz? Useless.

Then, finally, I found this:
The Kleen Kanteen, from Greenfeet.com.

40 Oz - enough for a whole can of Malt Liquor or, perhaps, some water.

So I got a few of the metal bottles, they are a tad heavier than the plastic ones (not much really) but I can thow them in a pot of boiling water and sterilze the suckers.

Can't freeze 'em but you CAN melt snow and ice in them over a fire.

Cool.

We've had a couple of threads about the BPA issue here and here.

But the ability to sterilize those metal bottles by boiling is pretty cool.

Didn't they demonstrate that the leeching was due to the use of a very concentrated detergent in conjunction with REALLY hot water and/or autoclaving? And that the detergent in question isn't a specialized one that never made it to the general market becuase of it's high toxity if ingested or something due to the concentration?

My survival flask is a hip fitting model of thick glass. it's a little more fragile but cleans up real nice. It was also a lot more fun emptying than my fiirst Altoids PSK. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Martin,

Before I use any plastic bottles for water, I treat them for bad plastic taste. I load a couple of heaping tablespoons of baking soda, then fill with hot water. I let it soak ovenight, then rinse throughly. No more plastic or other bad tastes from my bottles.

TR

Hi Martin,

That study has been discussed several times here on the forum. As I have stated previously, there are several flaws with the study:

The leeching effect is observed only with certain high-powered detergents and under very high water temps. neither of which any home consumer would encounter

There is no evidence in the thousands of studies worldwide that use animals both housed and provided water via polycarbonate (LEXAN) cages/water bottles that there is any increase in the purported lesions/effects of that study amongst control animals.

Pete

That's what I was going to suggest.

-- Craig

Ok, now that my heart rate and breathing are back to normal...
Are you guys saying there is nothing to this sperm count reduction thing about plastic bottles??? Heck, I will be 37 this year and I am sure I can't afford to lose anymore of that sort of capacity..(I do not have any kids yet)..but would like to be able to father one or 2 when the right girl get's caught in my trap out back..

If you could be a father before drinking from LEXAN water bottles, you will be able to do so after <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />.

I have been drinking from LEXAN bottles for a very long time and I am the proud father of three daughters.

These reports are nothing but hype and scare tactics

Pete

I can't comment on the payload quality, but lexan hasn't lowered the drive for me. As we've said before, for normal cleaning, lexan is at least as safe as HDPE and soda bottles.