Clothing, shoes, tents, backpacks, ropes and sleeping bags: most of these specially designed outdoor sporting goods contain harmful chemicals, says Greenpeace in a study published on January 25, 2016. Out of 40 sports products, from 11 different brands and purchased in 19 different countries, the NGO found that 36 of them contained perfluorinated or polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs). Only four products were free from this type of chemicals, namely two jackets from the brands Vaude and Jack Wolfskin, a backpack from the Haglöfs brand and a pair of The North Face gloves. The NGO particularly points the finger at the brands Patagonia, Mammut, Norrona, Salewa, The North Face and Jack Wolfskin in particular for shoes, pants and sleeping bags.
A danger to human health and the environment
For 18 of the articles analyzed, PFCs are said to be “long chain”, the most harmful category of these chemicals. PFCs are valued in the manufacture of sporting goods for their waterproof and stain resistant properties. But they are very volatile and pass easily through the air: “these pollutants are found in isolated mountain lakes and in the snow of remote areas. Studies show that PFCs can accumulate in living organisms like the livers of polar bears in the Arctic, and are also detected in human blood“denounces Greenpeace in its report of analysis. According to the NGO, studies show that some PFC harm reproduction, facilitate the progression of tumors and affect the hormonal system. If their use is declining, their use “is still widespread“Deplores Greenpeace in its analysis report. The NGO calls on the brands cited to join its”Detox campaign“launched in 2011 which aims to ban PFCs from sporting goods.
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