A chemical reaction
Mia Davis must be feeling pretty good about her battle against BPA - a controversial, estrogen-like chemical used to make some hard plastic water bottles, and similar products. A few years ago, she alone ran the national campaign "Detox Nalgene" out of Boston, telling anyone who would listen that the popular water bottle brand was leeching troubling levels of BPA into beverages. Her efforts paid off.
Last spring, in response to consumer pressure, the makers of Nalgene bottles announced they would phase out production of bottles containing BPA, also known as bisphenol A, and its website now promotes a new line of BPA-free bottles.
Two weeks ago, a Harvard School of Public Health study found that people who drank for a week from hard plastic bottles increased concentrations of BPA in their urine by 69 percent.
Here is an edited transcript of a chat with the 29-year-old Clark University graduate, who now works for Clean Water Action in Boston.
PATRICIA WEN
Q. So why should I be so concerned about BPA?
A. About 200 peer-reviewed journal articles indicate that low-dose exposure to BPA can cause serious harm, such as play a role in breast cancer, obesity, and learning and behavioral disabilities. Lab research on animals and human cells indicates that even tiny amounts can be harmful.
Q. What type of reusable water bottle is best?
A. I recommend a stainless steel bottle. I try to limit my exposure to bottles made of plastics - all kinds of plastic, not just those with BPA. For now, I think only stainless steel bottles are safe. I would not use aluminum bottles because many of them are lined with a resin, which may contain BPA.
Q. Aren't some plastic water bottles OK?
A. If you can squeeze the bottle, it probably doesn't contain BPA. Still, there have been studies showing water in those bottles contains some small amounts of BPA and other chemicals, and it's unclear the source of the contamination.
Q. You have also helped convince six of the largest makers of baby bottles to stop using BPA. What next?
A. I want the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to ban BPA in all beverage and food containers.
Q. Is that likely?
A. The governor's office has received thousands of calls and petition signatures supporting this effort - and I remain hopeful. 