The best way to avoid any trouble is to use HDPE, or PP.
The Nalgene type plastic bottles that are not clear, but a milky, semi-transparent bottle much like gallon milk bottles, are made of HDPE or High Density Polyethylene.
PP, or Polypropylene, is usually used for plastic cups and to the best of my knowledge, isn't used in drinking bottles. If you check the bottom of the plastic cup that you got the last time you supersized your Big Mac combo, odds are its PP.
All that said, Polyethelene is constantly giving off bad ju-ju. Its designed to do that. Plastics will eventually fade, dull, and become brittle. Remember the Big Wheel trikes that kids had? Remember how quick they faded when left in the yard? PE plastic releases chemicals that make their way to the surface to keep the product from fading and getting dull. Think of it like the "gassing" of the old Celuloid handles that knifemakers used to use on slipjoints.
For those of you that own quads, motorcross/dualsport motorcycles, snow mobiles, or some PWC's and tried to paint 'em you found that nothing sticks to them. The reason is that the PE plastic is releasing agents/chemicals/silicones that, once at the surface, evaporate. If there is paint blocking their egress, the gasses build up between the plastic and the paint causing the paint to fail.
The chemicals in the PE mentioned (number 7) is there to keep the product pretty. Nothing more. A clear, purple, shiney bottle sells better than a semi opaque dull bottle.
Quick rule of thumb - stick to PP (#5) or HDPE (#2). Nalgene makes both but the PP bottles are usually sold as lab equipment.
HTH,
Chris
I would think this segment could hurt Nalgene's business some. There is a statement on their website refuting the video.