Major Fashion, Outdoor Wear Companies to Phase Out PFAS
VF Corporation, which owns major fashion and outerwear apparel brands such as The North Face, Vans, Supreme, and Timberland, has recently announced a company-wide decision to phase out per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as PFAS or “forever chemicals,” from its products. These chemicals will be mostly phased out of company products by 2025.
PFAS are a group of over 9,000 chemicals that are long-lasting and break down very slowly over time. According to the EPA, these chemicals are now so prevalent that they can be found in the blood of many humans and other animals globally. Because these substances are now also found in many consumer products, they’ve made their way into the environment.
Some studies have shown links between PFAS and human health risks, but ultimately, the real dangers of these “forever chemicals” and how much we are exposed to them are still unknown. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, under the CDC, states that PFAS may contribute to changes in liver enzymes, higher risk of kidney and testicular cancers, increased cholesterol levels, lower vaccine response in children, and more potential health risks. Many experts say the risks of PFAS exposure for humans is likely underestimated.
Source : www.ecowatch.com