Raincoats, undies, school uniforms: Are your clothes dripping in "forever chemicals"?

By Hannah Norman | CBS News | March 30, 2023

Read the full article by Hannah Norman (CBS News)

"There could be more than just fashion risks involved when buying a pair of leggings or a raincoat.

Just how much risk is still not clear, but toxic chemicals have been found in hundreds of consumer products and clothing bought off the racks nationwide.

Thousands of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, exist since the first ones were invented in the 1940s to prevent stains and sticking. PFAS chemicals are used in nonstick cookware, water-repellent clothing and firefighting foam. Their manufacture and persistence in products have contaminated drinking water nationwide. Also known as "forever chemicals," these substances do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in our bodies over time.

Drinking water is widely considered the greatest source of potential exposure and harm. And, in March, the Environmental Protection Agency proposed the first national standard for PFAS levels in drinking water. But the chemicals can also pollute soil, fish, livestock, and food products. Researchers say they are present in the blood of nearly all Americans."

Topics:

• ChemicalsPFAS
• ChemicalsPolymer
• Products
• ProductsClothing
• ProductsFood contact materials
• ProductsOutdoor gear
• ProductsShoes
• ProductsTextiles
• Environment
• Wildlife
• Affected community
• Health
• Measurement Techniques
• Monitoring Data
• PFAS Uses