Technology textiles
Pushing Textiles Forward through technology-
PFAs - Both Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Contain very strong carbon-fluorine bonds.
PFAs are restricted substances currently impacting the safety of our drinking water and the health of those that live near manufacturing sites. PFAs are used in non-stick cookware, stain and water resistant fabrics and in fire-fighting foam.
PFOA and PFOS are forever chemicals that are used in everyday products. PFOA and PFOS are no longer manufactured in the U.S. but imported in carpet, leather, apparel, textiles, packaging, coatings, rubber and plastics. More specifically, pizza boxes, microwave popcorn, yoga pants, sandwich and snack bags, dental floss, shampoo, cosmetics, period products, incontinence products, fire fighter foam, lubricant for drill bits used during fracking. High level of exposure results in: birth defects, liver damage, cancer.
High contamination in areas where manufacturing of PFOAs occurred is evidenced by highly contaminated water and health issues including thyroid hormone issues, gestational diabetes and pre-eclampsia. Taconic Plastics in NY where teflon was used in manufacturing, is one such area plagued by PFOA related contamination and health issues. Another is Parkerburg, WV where Dupont manufactured Teflon.
Recent EPA federal mandate limits the level of six PFAs in tap water. 1/5 of Americans' PFAs exposure comes from water, PFAs also exist in our soil and consumer products.
EPA will use the Superfund Act to hold polluters financially responsible for clean up. 3M settles for $10.3 Billion for clean up in 13 cities.
Look for BPI logo on containers and avoid textiles that advertise water proof and stain proof but not PFAs free.
PFAs-both per- and polyfluoroalkyl
PFOA -Perfluorooctanic Acid and PFOS -Perfluorooctane Sulfonate are made up of a chain of carbon and fluorine atoms whose bond is one of the strongest ever created. Carbon-Fluorine bond strength is due to the electronegativity of fluorine and its relative attraction to carbon. The strength of this bond gives PFAs the properties that work for non-stick surfaces and water and stain resistant textiles but that strength also makes the chemical hard to break down. Since the chemical bond endures, the chemicals-which are highly toxic-accumulate in our water, soil and bodies. Recent EPA federal mandate limits the level of six PFAs allowed in tap water. 1/5 of Americans' PFAs exposure comes from water. Other exposure comes from contamination at manufacturing sites and from consumer product imports. PFAs are used in many manufacturing facilities as surfactants that reduce surface tension and contaminate product being manufactured. This unintentional contamination is common.
Contamination at manufacturing sites such as the teflon manufacturing plant in Parkersburg, WV once owned by DuPont, are resulting in large settlements for clean up and damages. The State of Ohio was awarded a $110 million settlement to repair damage done by a teflon manufacturing plant that dumped PFOAs in the Ohio River and dumped contaminated soil in sludge pits. $671 million dollars was also awarded to settle 3500 lawsuits filed over contamination from the Parkersburg plant.
3M settled a $10.3 billion dollar lawsuit over contaminated water.
Company