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December 2007
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Bisphenol A, Mountain Equipment Co-op and watermatters Stainless Steel Bottles on Global TV
Sunday, December 9th, 2007watermatters stainless steel bottles made Global TV’s news hour repeatedly this weekend due to Mountain Equipment Co-op’s groundbreaking announcement that it will stop selling plastic water bottles and food containers containing the controversial chemical bisphenol A .
This decision by MEC is already having significant impact on consumer awareness about the dangers of BPA and drinking from plastic. It sets a new standard for water bottle retailers.
Studies indicate dangerous health effects even at very low levels of exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA), a hormone disruptor that mimics estrogen.
BPA leaches from hard plastic Nalgene bottles made with #7 polycarbonate plastic. It’s use in the manufacture of plastic baby bottles is particularly alarming.
Environmental groups like Toronto-based Environmental Defence and mothers’ blogging groups like momsspeakup.com and blogher.com have been actively campaigning to ban the use of bisphenol A in Canada. BPA is currently under review by Health Canada.
The Global TV news broadcast began with shots of a Nalgene bottle being filled with water. The feature ended with water filling the new alternative - a watermatters stainless steel water bottle made by Klean Kanteen.
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Heavy Rainfall Has Affected Drinking Water Quality in Metro Vancouver
Wednesday, December 5th, 2007‘Water Turbidity (cloudy water) in Metro Vancouver has increased as a result of extremely heavy rainfall on the steep mountainous terrain above the region’s water supply lakes. Turbidity occurs when sediment is transported into the reservoirs by runoff.
The following areas are most affected: City of Vancouver, North Shore, and Burnaby.
Disinfection levels have been increased as a safety precaution and Metro Vancouver is operating the water system to maximize water quality.
Previous experience under similar conditions indicates that, other than the increased turbidity, the quality of tap water remains acceptable.
“While it may not be aesthetically pleasing, water coming out of taps remains acceptable to drink. There is NO boil water advisory in effect at this time [Dec 4, 2007],” said Vancouver Coastal Health Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Patty Daly.
However, because increased turbidity in drinking water may interfere with disinfection, there is the potential for an increase in the risk of gastrointestinal illness. In addition, those people with compromised immune systems are reminded that they should always either boil their water for at least one minute or drink water that has been treated to a level equal to that of boiling for one minute.
Industry may also note the presence of turbidity.
Water quality in Metro Vancouver’s source reservoirs is being closely monitored, and additional information will be provided in the event that the quality of the water decreases significantly.
Completion of the Seymour-Capilano Filtration Project in 2009 will provide a long-term solution to the turbidity in drinking water.Further information is available on the Metro Vancouver website.’
- from a media release issued by Metro Vancouver on December 4, 2007