Gaiam Water Bottles Leach BPA When Stressed

Boulder, COA new revelation involving Gaiam bottles and BPA is swirling in the new age and eco communities, after reports that the lining of aluminum Gaiam water bottles have been found to leach trace amounts of Bisphenol A under extreme conditions.

A lawsuit is currently under exploration.

The Gaiam company had, as recently as this past spring marketed their reusable aluminum water bottles as 'BPA-free'—this according to a screen shot of the Spring, 2009 product catalogue provided by the web site Z Recommends. "Our BPA-free aluminum water bottle keeps your water clear and fresh, while keeping disposable water bottles out of landfills."

However the reference to BPA-free was gone from the fall, 2009 catalogue.

The company continues to promote its reusable metallic water bottles as a safer alternative to plastic. "Our aluminum and stainless steel water bottles also offer an alternative if you're concerned about exposure to Bisphenol-A (BPA). Single-use plastic water bottles and reusable plastic bottles made of certain types of hard polycarbonate plastic have been shown to leach toxins including BPA into the water inside the bottle under normal use and care conditions.

The description, under the 'Product Story' pull down on the page featuring the Gaiam Bronze Medallion Aluminum Water Bottle, states that "stainless steel is the best alternative to plastic," suggesting that stainless steel does not require a liner, whereas an aluminum bottle does to prevent metallic elements from leaching into the water.

Gaiam states, "no detectable levels of BPA were found in the gasket, the cap or the coating material in testing under normal use and care conditions."

Gaiam Water Bottle BPA Controversy

However, Gaiam admits that a trace amount of BPA was found when the bottle was further stressed.

"We also took additional steps to help ensure your safety via independent laboratory tests that go well beyond FDA requirements. An independent lab subjected our aluminum water bottles to continuous extreme heat—nearly 200 degrees Fahrenheit—in an environmental chamber for three days while the bottles were filled with water. Under these extreme conditions, a trace amount of BPA (23.8 parts per billion) was detected in the water inside the bottle. This test was performed under conditions outside the normal use and care conditions we recommend on our product packaging and shopping website. For example, we explain that the bottle should not be washed in a dishwasher or filled with any hot liquids."

Critics take exception to the fact that Gaiam marketed their aluminum bottle as 'BPA-free' when in fact they were not, given the foregoing.

The Gaiam BPA controversy continues.