Poly- and per-fluorinated compounds, (or PFCs) are used in many industrial processes and consumer products. A new report by Greenpeace claims that brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Mammut, Columbia and Haglofs are using hazardous PFCs, linked to cancer, to waterproof their products. Greenpeace tested 40 products purchased in 19 different countries and regions. While most brands tested publicly claim they are no longer using the most hazardous long-chain PFCs, they were still found in high concentrations in 18 items. PFCs are chemical compounds that, once released into the environment, may degrade very slowly and enter the food chain, making pollution almost irreversible. “Companies like Patagonia have been selling these chemicals for years without disclosing what they’re made of,” said Greenpeace’s executive director, Kumi Naidoo.
A new report by Greenpeace claims that brands such as The North Face, Patagonia, Mammut, Columbia and Haglofs are using hazardous PFCs, linked to cancer, to waterproof their products. Greenpeace tested 40 products purchased in 19 different countries and regions. While most brands tested publicly claim they are no longer using the most hazardous long-chain PFCs, they were still found in high concentrations in 18 items. PFCs are chemical compounds that, once released into the environment, may degrade very slowly and enter the food chain, making pollution almost irreversible. “Companies like Patagonia have been selling these chemicals for years without disclosing what they’re made of,” said Greenpeace’s executive director, Kumi Naidoo.