Low Levels of BPA Found In Some Metal Bottles, Study Says

A new study finds that some reusable metal drinking bottles contain low levels of bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic estrogen-mimicking chemical, even though such bottles are often marketed as a safer alternative to BPA-containing plastic bottles. In a comprehensive analysis of numerous types of bottles, University of Cincinnati (UC) researchers found that stainless steel- and co-polyester-lined aluminum bottles did not contain the controversial chemical, which has been shown in numerous studies to disrupt human and animal hormone production. However, the researchers found that aluminum bottles lined with epoxy-based resins did leach some levels of the chemical. “Consumers should not think that just because a bottle isn’t polycarbonate plastic that it is safe from the dangers of BPA,” said Scott Belcher, associate professor in UC’s pharmacology and cell biophysics department. Meanwhile, a new study by University of Michigan researchers found that increased exposure to BPA and phthalates, a group of chemicals used to make plastics, increases the chance of thyroid function impairment.