Greenpeace pollutants in outdoor clothing

Greenpeace warns of pollutants in outdoor jackets and pants

29/10/2012

According to a report by the environmental protection organization Greenpeace, weather-resistant outdoor clothing is frequently contaminated with "harmful substances harmful to the environment and to health". For the production of the "outdoor brands such as Jack Wolfskin, The North Face and Mammoth" are, according to the environmentalists, among other things, "perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFC) used, which bring a massive environmental impact".

Traces of the PFC produced and processed for more than 50 years can be found today "from the Arctic polar ice to the deep sea, from human blood to breast milk", write the experts from Greenpeace. The outdoor clothing is a possible source of emissions for the harmful substances. Here, for example, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is used, which, like all PFCs, accumulates in the environment, in food and in drinking water, and thus has an impact on human health. According to Greenpeace, PFOA can be "carcinogenic and toxic for reproduction."

High pollutant concentrations also in outdoor children's jackets
The manufacturers of outdoor clothing advertise with images of unspoilt nature, but use for the production of water and dirt-repellent clothing harmful to the environment and health, according to the criticism of the environmental organization Greenpeace. Two independent laboratories had examined the exposure to outdoor clothing as part of the Greenpeace investigation, measuring striking concentrations of PFOA "in jackets from The North Face, Patagonia, Jack Wolfskin, Kaikkialla, and Marmot children's trousers." high concentrations of fluoroelomeroalcohols (FTOH), which are also converted to PFOA in the environment and in the human body, have been detected in a Vaude kids jacket and the jackets of Mammut, Kaikkialla and Patagonia, "Greenpeace reports.

Outdoor industry should detoxify
In the 14 outdoor women's and children's outdoor garments studied, environmentalists discovered not only PFC but also worrying levels of "hormonally active plasticizers (phthalates) and nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE). According to Greenpeace, the highest NPE content was detected in a children's rain jacket from the manufacturer "Seven Summits" and the highest concentration of plasticizers contained a children's poncho from the company "Northland". In view of the questionable pollutant loads, Greenpeace chemistry expert Christiane Huxdorff said: "The outdoor industry needs to detoxify and replace hazardous chemicals with environmentally friendly alternatives."

Billion-dollar business with outdoor clothing
With a turnover of over one billion euros, Germany is, according to Greenpeace, "the largest European market for outdoor products." In doing so, the "outdoor clothing industry" advertises with images of untouched nature. But the reality is that the harmful substances that are used by this industry are now found in the environment and in the blood of people all over the world, "explained Manfred Santen of Greenpeace Germany. Contrary to the advertising images of daredevil climbers and deep snow skiers, most customers are also "not exceptional athletes, but city dwellers who want to stay warm and dry during a bike ride or autumn hike," continued Greenpeace. According to Christiane Huxdorff, "outdoor-jackets equipped with a lot of chemicals are now wearing everyday clothing." Even children, according to Greenpeace, "often wear jackets and pants that are suitable for a polar expedition in the rain and mud on the playground." Huxdorff therefore called consumers to "Check if you need a rain jacket for the summit storm or a walk." (Fp)

Picture: M.E.