Greenpeace survey finds harmful chemicals in 90 per cent of weatherproof gear
The global study of PFCs involved 19 countries and regions, including Hong Kong
Greenpeace called for a complete detoxification of water-repellent outdoor apparel after its survey found nine in 10 of them made with harmful chemical compounds could weaken human immune systems and even cause cancer.
The survey was part of a joint effort from 19 countries and regions last November to collectively test 40 popular products, named by consumers, from 11 international brands that included North Face, Mammut and Vaude.
Results showed that 36 of the 40 tested products contained different forms of perfluorinated compounds, or PFCs, despite some brands having already pledged to cease or phase out the use of such toxins. Some of them were available for purchase locally.
READ MORE: Hong Kong’s five biggest drinking water reservoirs found to contain harmful chemicals
PFCs are a diverse group of man-made chemicals that were developed in 1953. They are frequently used to produce waterproof and dirt-repellent finishes for outdoor apparel.
They were also found in Hong Kong’s five biggest drinking water reservoirs, according to an earlier study released by the green group last year.
Campaigner Andy Chu Kong called on local authorities to regulate the chemical compound and clearly update the public on its inspections of PFCs in drinking water and outdoor products.
“The Hong Kong government is relatively behind, if you look at the market size of Hong Kong’s outdoor products consumption,” he said.
No universal standard of tolerance for PFCs exists, with the Norwegian government being the sole authority to limit long-chain PFCs, at one microgram per square metre.