Many products marketed as stain- and water-resistant containperfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS.
Of the 47 products marketed as stain- and water-repellent, PFAS were found in 72% of them.
At least one product from each of the 10 retailers included in this report contained PFAS.
Elena Bennett / EyeEm / Getty Images
Water- and stain-resistant products have long been manufactured with a PFAS-rich chemical surface treatment or a laminated membrane.
Certain PFAS-containing products, like fast food wrappers and nonstick cookware, interact directly with food.
PFAS have been detected in carpeted daycares, schools, retail stores, and workplaces.
When PFAS-treated apparel is laundered, the chemicals can break off into drinking water as well.
Peaslee estimated that a heavy-duty coat can contain half a pound of fluorinated chemicals.
This is an environmental problem that is really enormous in the United States.
These chemicals don’t go awaythey cycle for thousands of years, he said.
Some microbes can degrade plastics and other toxic substances in landfills.
In the case of PFAS, a carbon-fluorine chain attaches to another carbon.
These persistent chemicals can pollute the environment and wind up in the bodies of humans and animals.
Among the PFAS, the dangers of PFOS and PFOA are best documented.
Still, Toxic-Free Future found that three-quarters of the tested PFAS-containing items included these chemicals.
Her team purchased the products in 2020.
Fluorine chemicals are disappearing from outerwear.
But chemical companies have been very industrious and getting it everywhere else, Peaslee said.
Studies from the past decade indicate high concentrations of these toxic chemicals in a wide array of apparel.
The EPA made itsfirst steps towardsetting enforceable limits for these chemicals in October.
Peaslee said the impetus to limit PFAS products will likely come first from industries, not regulatory bodies.
If youre going up Mount Everest, you probably do want a fluorinated jacket.
But if youre going to the mall, do you really need that?
The answer is no, Peaslee said.
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Published December 7, 2021.
