WASHINGTON DC – The Environmental Working Group (EWG) non-profit has identified more than 1,500 textile mills in the USA, which it says may be releasing toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
Dubbed 'forever chemicals' because of their durability in the environment, PFAS are widely used in the textile industry for their water, stain and oil-repellent properties, as well as in other products such as non-stick cookware.
Human exposure to PFAS has been linked with a series of major health risks including liver damage, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, high cholesterol, obesity, hormone suppression and cancer.