Water-resistant clothes and stain-resistant tablecloths contain toxic Pfas

The "forever chamicals", widely used for the production of everyday objects, are connected to a number of serious health problems - such as cancer

Don't store avocado like this: it's dangerous

New worrying information comes from the front of PFAS (perfluoroacrylic acids), a family of chemical substances widely used in the most varied fields - from hygienic products to non-stick cookware to food packaging - and from the toxic effects for the environment and health demonstrated by numerous studies (their presence is linked to cancer, decreased immunity, liver disease, kidney problems, birth defects and much more): these substances would have been found in 72% of clothing and fabrics classified as "water and stain resistant" - with dangerous consequences for the health of consumers.

This is what emerges from a new study conducted by Toxic Free Future, an organization that cares about the protection of the environment and puts pressure on companies to stop using harmful chemicals to create their products. The results of the survey show how forever chemicals (nickname given to PFAS due to their incredible resistance to deterioration, which leads them to accumulate in the environment even for decades) are widely used in the production of clothing to the detriment of human health. .

We analyzed 60 waterproof or stain-resistant fabric products (jackets, hiking pants, shirts, mattress covers, quilts, tablecloths and napkins) sold by 10 major retailers (Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, Costco, Dick's Sporting Goods, Kohl's, Macy's, REI, Target, TJX and Walmart). As many as 34 of the products analyzed contained traces of PFAS: among the contaminated garments there are jackets made by Alpine Design and Patagonia (a brand that declares ethical and eco-sustainable production methods on its website), or in collaboration with Gore-Tex and Teflon.

Harmful chemicals are added at the manufacturing stage to create one surface barrier against stains or water, or to make rainwear more breathable. When the barrier breaks, with use or washing, the PFAS are released into the environment ending up in the air and becoming a danger for the wearer. Chemicals can also be absorbed through the skin in contact with the fabric: this is a problem that mainly affects workers in textile factories, particularly exposed to PFAS contamination.

@Toxic Free Future

"Our tests detect the continuous and unnecessary use of toxic chemicals known as PFAS in outdoor clothing and home furnishings such as bed linens and tablecloths," he said. Erika Schreder, author of the study. "When companies use PFAS to make products resistant to stains or water, they use chemicals that contaminate homes, drinking water and breast milk with highly persistent chemicals that can cause cancer and damage the immune system." . 

But the good news is: 13 of the products analyzed, always labeled as resistant to water or stains, contained no traces of PFAS - proving that a less harmful alternative to health and the environment is possible. Some of the products have obtained water repellency with plastic materials such as polyester or polyurethane, while others using simple paraffin.

New study: Most stain- or water-resistant products tested contained toxic chemicals

Our new study found PFAS chemicals in most products labeled stain- or water-resistant, including rain gear, tablecloths & bedding.Join tens of thousands of people calling on REI to lead the industry away from using these toxic chemicals in products: https://bit.ly/toxic-convenience-REIPFAS-free alternatives exist but the burden shouldn't be on consumers to figure out which products are safe. They all should be! We need leaders in corporate America, state governments, and the federal government to ban these dangerous chemicals.You can learn more about the study here: https://toxicfreefuture.org/pfas-in-stain-water-resistant-products-study/And please take action now! Tell REI to stop leaving a toxic trail of pollution: https://bit.ly/toxic-convenience-REI

Posted by Toxic-Free Future on Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Follow your Telegram | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | Youtube

Fonte: Toxic Free Future

We also recommend:

• High levels of toxic PFAS in eyeglass sprays and anti-fog clothes
• Pfas: with a “boomerang” effect they pass from the waves of the sea to the land, according to a new study
• PFAS "national emergency, urgent law is needed": new dossier of the Ecomafie Commission