Test 2

Ken Paxton, the Attorney General of Texas, announced recently that he has issued an investigation order to the American company of Lululemon, a Canadian sportswear brand, to investigate whether its products contain "permanent chemicals" (previously reported by Shanxi Evening News as containing "permanent chemicals", which may be associated with health risks such as infertility and cancer. Lululemon is under investigation in the United States, and the brand responded: It will cooperate)

Paxton said in a statement on the 13th that recent research and consumer concerns have raised questions about whether Lululemon products may contain certain synthetic materials and chemicals that may be linked to endocrine disruption, infertility, cancer and other health problems. The investigation aims to determine whether Lululemon misleads consumers about the safety, quality and health effects of its products.

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Multiple brands have been caught up in the PFAS scandal

This is not the first time that PFAS has sparked controversy. In March last year, reports said that many waterproof down jackets contain harmful substances PFAS, which may cause health problems over time.

According to media reports, the "GORE-TEX" brand, known as the "king of outdoor fabrics", relies on "PFAS" for its waterproof performance, which is controversial.

According to the GORE-TEX official website, GORE-TEX products technology has been applied to coats, trousers, shoes, gloves and other products. Brands using this technology include Arc'teryx, The North Face, Mammut, Patagonia, Kailas, Descente and other brands.

According to reports, customer service of multiple brands such as Arc'teryx, The North Face and Kailas responded that the products have passed professional testing and meet current national standards.

What exactly is PFAS.

PFAS, short for perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, is a class of man-made chemicals. Due to the extreme stability of the "carbon-fluorine" bond, PFAS is extremely difficult to degrade in the environment and can persist for a long time, so it is called "permanent chemicals".

PFAS has a wide range of uses. With its excellent performance of waterproofing, oil resistance and high temperature resistance, it is widely found in our daily lives, such as:

Non-stick pan coatings

Oil-resistant wrapping paper for hamburgers and fried chicken

Waterproof jackets and dirt-resistant shoes

Fire-fighting foam

Long-lasting waterproof cosmetics

Although PFAS is "useful", it has a fatal problem: it is almost impossible to decompose in the environment and is difficult to be metabolized by the human body. Once it enters our body, it will "stick around" for a long time, accumulating slowly in tissues such as the liver and blood, causing multiple health hazards over time.

Stay away from PFAS,

do these things.

1.

Use products containing PFAS less frequently

Try to avoid using products containing PFAS, such as waterproof, oil-repellent, and stain-resistant textiles, paints, etc. Choose alternatives that do not contain PFAS, such as natural or additive-free options.

2. Pay attention to food packaging

PFAS may be present in some food packaging materials, such as takeout boxes, microwaveable food bags, etc. Try to choose paper or biodegradable packaging materials and avoid using PFAS-containing plastic packaging.

3. Install a water purifier or filter

Using a filter or installing a water purifier can help remove PFAS from water. At the same time, choosing a fiber-rich diet can reduce the risk of diseases associated with PFAS exposure. Regularly clean the home environment to reduce the accumulation of PFAS in dust.

4. Choose additive-free cosmetics

Try to choose natural or additive-free cosmetics and personal care products. If the product does not list its chemical ingredients, choose products that are easier to wash off.

5. Choose cookware without coatings

When choosing cookware and kitchenware, it is recommended to purchase products that do not contain PFAS and to choose cookware without coatings for a higher level of safety.

Is it necessary to "panic at the mention of fluoride"?

Expert interpretation

From the current situation of market products, as ordinary consumers, most of the time we cannot independently determine whether the clothing we wear contains PFAS. But in the view of Wu Kean, an expert in the fluorochemical industry, there is no need to "panic at the mention of fluoride".

"Most PFAS are not acutely toxic substances, and short-term, low-level exposure will not cause serious harm to the human body. Wearing clothes once or twice, or for one or two years, is not a problem."

Wu Kean said, "What we should really worry about is not the impact of PFAS in outdoor clothing on human health, but if companies do not do their best to recycle and destroy toxic PFAS during their production and use, these toxic PFAS will continue to accumulate in the environment without much degradation, and as their concentration increases, they will pose certain harm to organisms and humans."

For consumers who mind PFAS in products, Wu Kean also said that they can reduce their exposure by choosing products labeled "PFAS-Free". At present, some outdoor brands offer PFAS-free waterproof clothing, and consumers can pay attention to the label information when purchasing.

Shanwan Editorial Comment

From the investigation into Lululemon to the involvement of many well-known outdoor brands in the PFAS scandal, we can clearly see that the PFAS issue is no longer a niche hazard for a certain brand or product, but has gradually evolved into a widespread industry-wide challenge.

These brands have a large consumer base and high popularity in the market. If there are problems with their products, it will undoubtedly greatly undermine consumers' trust in the entire industry.

Although some brands claim that their products meet the current national standards, "meeting the standards" does not mean absolute safety, especially in the face of substances such as PFAS that may cause serious health hazards over time, consumers have reason to demand higher safety guarantees < p > < p > This also reflects that the current relevant industry standards may have a certain lag, failing to keep up with technological development and changes in consumer health needs in a timely manner, and need to be further improved and updated.