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In 2019,
scientists collected snow from various parts of Mount Everest,
and made an alarming discovery — high levels of PFAS, often
called "forever chemicals" due to their inability to ever
break down, on many areas of the mountain. Even more shocking
still: these chemicals were actually in higher quantities
lower on the mountain, where more climbers convened, than at
the peak. This told the researchers one important thing:
these chemicals weren't being spread through the
water cycle like they often are, but rather coming directly
off of humans — or rather, their water-resistant
gear.
PFAS are synthetic chemicals
that were developed in the 1940s to make products resistant to
"heat, oil, stains, grease, and water." But as handy as these
product improvements are, especially to hikers on the snowy
peaks of Everest or in rainy forests worldwide, the cost of
their never breaking down is far too high — these toxic forever chemicals are found in the
environment, animals, and the blood of people
worldwide. Certain types of cancer, autoimmune
diseases, changes in liver enzymes, birth defects, decreased
vaccine efficacy in children, and more have all been linked to
PFAS.
Even the outdoor industry
recognized the danger of PFAS and in 2015, major retailers
Patagonia and the North Face announced that they would be
phasing out the toxic chemicals. But to this day in
2021, many, many of their products still contain
PFAS, claiming there are not good enough alternatives
yet — even though companies like Páramo have completely
eliminated them through a combination of degradable coating
materials and directional engineering that makes moisture
glide right off. One of Patagonia's core values listed on
their website is to "cause no unnecessary harm." The North
Face claims that part of its fundamental mission is to
"support the preservation of the outdoors." Tell them
to prove it. Sign the petition demanding that Patagonia and
the North Face truly eliminate all Earth-harming,
human-killing, animal-poisoning PFAS from their
products!
Thank you,
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Lauren
The Care2 Petitions Team
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P.S. PFAS are
ruining our planet, but they are in many of the products made
by these "environmentally friendly" outdoor gear companies. Sign the petition today. |
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