A friend and I have an ongoing debate about Nalgene plastic water bottles and we've staked out opposite positions: I am definitely concerned that they are dangerous. He adamantly insists that I've got no cause to worry.

So, when I read the New York Times article saying that the Canadian government is poised to label them as toxic, I emailed it to him as conclusive evidence.

The article noted that an independent panel of scientists found that the compound called bisphenol-a, or B.P.A., used to make the popular Lexan polycarbonate bottles, may leach into the water and disrupt our hormonal systems.

My friend -- a stickler for details -- was unfazed. He immediately fired back with this: "Interesting, but it didn't say anything about cancer or birth defects. It just said BPA causes 'changes in the body.' Heck, water causes changes in the body!"

The irony is that I've never seen him with a Nalgene bottle.

I, however, own several in many colors, all of which were purchased before Nalgene announced that they would make B.P.A-free bottles from now on to avoid being called toxic.

My hand is practically fused to the bottle loop. I tote them to the gym, to yoga, to walk my dogs, to run errands, to any place that I work on my computer (they're spill-proof when the cap is on). I even bought a bag because it had a specific pocket that's perfectly sized for a water bottle (to smuggle them into movie theaters, among other things.)

Last year, I made a serious effort to break my habit and switch to a safer water bottle. I splurged on a metallic SIGG bottle, but the water always tasted a little metallic to me and you know what they say about old habits.

So, I (nervously) returned to using my scratched, slightly abused Nalgene bottles, though I did stop washing them in the dishwasher. I just rinse them out now, because the detergents are thought to leach out harmful chemicals.

Still, it's a bad sign when an entire country decides to issue a warning that this kind of polycarbonate plastic is toxic. I think it's time I heed the warning. And dust off my cool-looking SIGG bottle, then actually use it until water no longer tastes metallic.