The Center of Education for Children’s Health and the Environment

Although it is not impossible to find a polycarbonate bottle, it is getting harder and harder as Canadian retailers take action.Here are some of the retailers that have removed some polycarbonate products from their store shelves. It is important to note, some stores have a specific policy just on the removal of baby bottles.

Pulled their polycarbonate plastic water bottles in December 2007

Stopped selling polycarbonate bottles in December 2007

Announced on April 15 that it would remove plastic water bottles and food storage containers that are known to contain bisphenol A from its stores (Canadian Tire, Mark’s Work Warehouse and PartSource).The Forzani Group Ltd.On April 15, this major sports retailer announced it would remove all water bottles containing bisphenol A and replace them with BPA-free alternatives. This decision affects store such as Sport Chek, Coast Mountain Sports, Sport Mart, National Sports, Athletes World, Sports Experts, Intersport, Econosport, Atmosphere, Tech Shop, Pegasus, Nevada Bob

’s Golf, Hockey Experts, and The Fitness Source.Home Depot Canada

Committed on April 16 to get rid of BPA products.

Announced on April 16 that it stopped selling polycarbonate baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers, food containers and water bottles containing bisphenol A, as identified by its product suppliers.

On April 16 announced it removed all BPA baby products from its Bay and Zellers stores.

Announced on April 17 that the company would remove baby products and sport bottles containing BPA.

On April 17 committed to identifying products containing BPA and removing them from their stores.

Announced on April 17 that it would remove all baby bottles, sippy cups, pacifiers and select food containers and water bottles containing BPA.

The makers of Nalgene bottles announced on April 18 that it would phase-out production of polycarbonate water bottles and replace them with a BPA-free bottle alternative.

Announced on April 18 that it would replace infant feeding products made with BPA with a BPA-free material by the end of 2008.

Canada Safeway Limited Colabor, L.P.

On April 18 the Canadian Council of Grocery Distributors announced that its members (listed above) would withdraw all polycarbonate baby bottles from sale.

Cassandra Polyzou

Environmental Defence

www.toxicnation.ca

Phthalates - What are they and how are they used?

Phthalates (pronounced “thah-lates”) are chemical plasticizers that have been widely used since the 1950s to soften plastics that would otherwise be brittle and crack when bent. Because phthalates are not chemically bound to the products they appear in, they leach into the atmosphere and into liquids. What then happens is we ingest, inhale and absorb phthalates when exposed to them. This is especially true for products that contain phthalates and are applied directly to skin.