The US Based Environmental Working Group Say That At Least 1,500 U.S. Textile Mills Are Likely Dischargers Of Toxic ‘Forever Chemicals’
WASHINGTON – The Environmental Working Group based in Washington DC has identified more than 1,500 textile mills that may be releasing the toxic “forever chemicals” known as PFAS that are responsible for contaminating drinking water across the U.S.
PFAS are a large family of fluorinated chemicals, some of which have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, immune system damage and numerous other serious health problems.
PFAS, short for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of at least 4,700 synthetic chemicals that have been in commercial production since the 1940s to make surfaces resist stains, water and grease.
The most widely studied are PFOA (also known as C8) – used for decades to make Teflon non-stick – and PFOS, used to make Scotchgard water repellent.
They don’t break down. PFAS are highly persistent and accumulate over time in humans, animals and the environment.
They can also be dispersed through air and water and have been found in the environment of the Arctic (and its polar bears) and open ocean waters.
No federal standards limiting PFAS discharges currently exist. But Congress is considering legislation that would place limits on PFAS discharges into water supplies.
EWG’s analysis, based on a review of government data released by the Environmental Protection Agency, found 1,501 manufacturers of textiles may be discharging PFAS.
There are no Environmental Protection Agency standards that limit PFAS discharges into air and water by textile mills or other companies.
Overall, EWG has found 29,900 industrial sites that could be using PFAS, including electroplating and polishing, petroleum stations and terminals, chemical manufacturers, metal product makers, commercial printing facilities, plastics and resin manufacturing sites, paint and coating manufacturers, semiconductor manufacturers and electrical component makers.
“PFAS exposure can cause serious health impacts at very low levels. It is a public health crisis that these chemicals can and may be dumped into the air and water downstream of textile mills and other industrial sites,” said David Andrews, Ph.D., a senior scientist at EWG.
The Textile Industry
Textiles are a significant user of PFAS chemicals and likely a major contributor to global contamination.
The extent of PFAS discharges from textile mills remains unclear, because of loopholes in the EPA's Toxics Release Inventory, which tracks annual industrial chemical releases.
The Biden EPA has pledged to close these loopholes to determine where and what amount of PFAS is being released into the environment.
About The Environmental Working Group
The Environmental Working Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization that empowers people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment.
Through research, advocacy and unique education tools, EWG drives consumer choice and civic action.
