Recently, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced thatAn investigation order has been issued to Canadian sportswear brand Lululemon USA to verify whether its products contain "forever chemicals" PFAS and whether it misleads consumers about product safety..
This investigation has once again brought PFAS to the forefront. These chemicals, which can cause infertility and cancer, are hidden in a variety of waterproof jackets and daily necessities.
PFAS stands for perfluorinated and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Because the carbon-fluorine bond is extremely stable, it is extremely difficult to degrade in the environment and can accumulate in the human body for a long time. It is called a "forever chemical".
With its excellent waterproof and oil-proof properties, it is widely used in waterproof jackets, non-stick pans, food packaging and other products. However, its fatal hazards cannot be ignored - long-term exposure can interfere with endocrine, reduce fertility, and even induce cancer. When the concentration of PFAS in a woman's blood is too high, the probability of pregnancy can be reduced by up to 40%.
In addition to Lululemon, many well-known outdoor brands are also involved in the PFAS controversy.GORE-TEX, known as the "King of Outdoor Fabrics", relies on PFAS for its waterproof technology, and brands using this technology include many well-known outdoor brands such as Arc'teryx, The North Face, Mammoth, and Kailash..
It has been previously reported that many waterproof jackets contain PFAS, and long-term accumulation may cause health problems. In response, customer service from brands such as Arc'teryx and The North Face stated that the products comply with current national standards.
Experts said that there is no need to talk about fluoride discoloration. PFAS is not an acute toxic substance and a small amount of short-term exposure will not cause serious harm. The real concern lies in the long-term environmental pollution of PFAS that is not properly handled during the production process.
If consumers are concerned about PFAS, they can choose fluorine-free products marked "PFAS-Free", reduce the use of PFAS-containing textiles, coated pots, etc., and reduce exposure risks by installing water purifiers and choosing biodegradable packaging..