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BPA Free

After months of calling “bullshit” on everyone’s worries about BPA in my trusty old Nalgene waterbottle (Canada, especially – and what do they know?), I have finally made the switch and bought myself a shiny, new, BPA-free, Nalgene Everday bottle.

In general, I try my best to avoid taking direction from often over-excited scientists who make claims with words like “might” or “some concern” or “a limited number of studies have indicated”. I also strongly believe that rats and humans have different physiological structures and therefore I don’t get too fired up about limited studies in lab animals. And I’m pretty jaded from all the back-and-forth and often contradictory “scientific studies” that warn us from eating too much of this or not enough of that or that stretches causes injuries, no it’s prevents them, etc. Finally, I feel like BPA in my Nalgene is the least of my worries. I mean I live in Manhattan and walk probably three to four miles a day, sucking in exhaust from the countless cars that clog the City’s streets. And we know, I mean really know, that that’s poison. On the other hand, if one little change can reduce some risk, then how can I really argue? (If I really wanted to a be a conspiracy theorist, I’d bet that these BPA studies were all funded by Poland Springs who must hate those of us who use re-usable water bottles).

So why did I change my stubborn mind? It’s not like more evidence has come out that makes a definitive statement about the harm caused by drinking from bottles made with BPA. I guess that in thinking about this one on the effort vs. risk scale, spending $10 to replace my three year old Nalgene (that I got for free) seemed to shout for avoiding any further risk. Even if I believe the risk is extremely low, now that I’ve bought the bottle I don’t have to do any more work. I’ll also give the New York Times editorial page some credit for my change of heart. I mean it’s the Times, not some piddly little Canadian public health agency…

Buying myself a new present definitely doesn’t mean I’m going to start believing everything the scientists say…

(In case you’re wondering, “soft” bike bottles, such as the popular ones made by Specialized, that are stamped with the “4” and “LDPE” (low density polyethylene) do not contain BPA and, for now at least, are considered safe. I’m sure the study declaring those toxic is in the works though…)

On a final and less boring note, it looks like we’re in for a beautiful Memorial Day weekend here in NYC. I’m gonna spend a lot of it outside – including the run I’m rolling out for in a couple minutes!

Indoor Bike – May 20
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 123

Swim – May 21
Distance: 3,100 yards
Time: 1:05

Indoor Bike – May 22
Time: 1:00
Average heart rate: 116

Swim – May 23
Distance: 2,300 yards
Time: 45 minutes

Run – May 23
Distance: 5.75 miles
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 142
Course: West Side Highway
Conditions: Mostly sunny, high 60’s, breezy