Key insights

• ⚠️ Jacket made from toxic forever chemicals including fluoropolymer compounds and posos cocktails, Gore-Tex claims stability but testing shows potential shedding of posos, Manufacturing of posos chemicals linked to water contamination and health issues
• ⚗️ PFOAs, commonly known as Teflon, have been used in consumer products since the 1940s, They are present in various consumer products including food packaging, carpets, firefighting foams, makeup, and outdoor gear, PFOAs pose a significant threat to drinking water sources and have been inadequately regulated, The outdoor industry has been heavily dependent on PFOAs for gear and clothing, potentially contaminating pristine water sources, The environmental and health impact of PFOAs needs to be addressed and understood
• 👕 Clothing and gear are often treated with posos chemical like DWR for water, oil, and stain repellency, Brands fear not using posos as competitors may offer better-performing products, Despite known toxicity, brands continue to use posos due to performance concerns, Difficulty in ensuring posos-free products due to cross-contamination during production, Concerns about gear contaminating the environment with posos leading to environmental impact, Challenges in finding posos-free clothing due to the risk of contamination during the manufacturing process
• 🌊 Contaminated water flows into the ocean., Collecting water samples from a remote stream., Remote stream considered a good candidate for uncontaminated water., Sent samples to the lab and received results showing the presence of toxic chemicals pfoa and pfos.
• 🚰 EPA has set an enforceable standard for two harmful chemicals in drinking water, Levels as small as four drops of water in 20 Olympic-size pools, High levels of chemicals found in tap water and a new Goretex jacket, Unregulated chemical found in an Alpine stream
• 🏞️ PFOA is a likely chemical found at remote locations due to its ability to spread with water and snow, contaminating water sources, Legislation in California and New York aims to restrict PFOA in clothing, and REI has stopped selling products containing PFOA, Gortex has started producing PFOA-free membranes, but there are still many other outdoor gear brands using PFOA, Individuals can take action by contacting representatives, supporting PFOA awareness charities, and spreading awareness, The speaker's blood test showed PFOA levels below the national average, but there are concerns about its impact

Q&A

• What efforts have been made to address the spread of toxic chemicals in the outdoor industry?

  The outdoor industry has contributed to the spread of toxic chemicals like PFOA, but there are efforts to change this. Legislation in California and New York, as well as REI's decision to stop selling PFOA-containing products, are steps in the right direction. However, there's still work to be done in reducing PFOA in outdoor gear. Individuals can take action by contacting representatives, supporting PFOA awareness charities, and spreading awareness.

• What are the implications of the EPA's standard for harmful chemicals in drinking water?

  The EPA has set an enforceable standard for two harmful chemicals in drinking water, with levels as small as four drops of water in 20 Olympic-size pools. Samples revealed high levels in tap water and a new Goretex jacket shedding toxic chemicals. The unregulated chemical is also found in an alpine stream.

• How was the presence of toxic chemicals like PFOA and PFOS detected in water?

  Water samples were collected from a remote stream, sent to the lab, and results showed the presence of toxic chemicals PFOA and PFOS, potentially indicating widespread contamination in the environment.

• Why are posos chemicals used in clothing and gear despite their toxic properties?

  Clothing and gear are often treated with posos chemical like DWR for water, oil, and stain repellency. Brands continue to use posos due to performance concerns and fear not using posos as competitors may offer better-performing products. Ensuring posos-free products is challenging due to cross-contamination during production. There are concerns about gear contaminating the environment with posos leading to environmental impact. Finding and claiming posos-free clothing is difficult due to the risk of contamination during the manufacturing process.

• What is the history and threat of PFOAs?

  PFOAs, commonly known as Teflon, have been used in consumer products since the 1940s. They are present in various consumer products, posing a significant threat to drinking water sources and inadequately regulated. The outdoor industry has been heavily dependent on PFOAs for gear and clothing, potentially contaminating pristine water sources. The environmental and health impact of PFOAs needs to be addressed and understood.

• What are the toxic forever chemicals used in Gore-Tex jackets?

  Gore-Tex jackets are made from toxic forever chemicals, including fluoropolymer compounds and posos cocktails, which have been linked to water contamination and serious health effects. Despite claims of stability, testing reveals potential shedding of posos from Gore-Tex jackets. The manufacturing of these chemicals has led to significant water contamination and health issues.

• 00:00 This jacket is made from extremely toxic forever chemicals, including fluoropolymer compounds and other posos cocktails, which have been linked to water contamination and serious health effects. Despite claims of stability, testing reveals potential shedding of posos from Gore-Tex jackets. The manufacturing of these chemicals has led to significant water contamination and health issues.
• 02:36 PFOAs have been widely used since the 1940s, are present in various consumer products, and pose a threat to drinking water sources; the outdoor industry has been a major user of PFOAs in gear and clothing. The environmental and health impact of PFOAs is concerning.
• 04:47 Clothing and gear treated with posos chemicals like DWR are prevalent, but their toxic properties and potential environmental impact are concerning. Brands avoid claiming products are posos-free due to the risk of cross-contamination during production.
• 06:58 Contaminated water ends up in the ocean, heading to a remote stream to collect water samples, sent samples to the lab and received results showing the presence of toxic chemicals pfoa and pfos.
• 09:28 The EPA has set an enforceable standard for two harmful chemicals in drinking water, with levels as small as four drops of water in 20 Olympic-size pools. Samples revealed high levels in tap water and a new Goretex jacket shedding toxic chemicals. The unregulated chemical is also found in an Alpine stream.
• 12:00 The outdoor industry has contributed to the spread of toxic chemicals like PFOA, but there are efforts to change this. Legislation in California and New York, as well as REI's decision to stop selling PFOA-containing products, are steps in the right direction. However, there's still work to be done in reducing PFOA in outdoor gear. Individuals can take action by contacting representatives, supporting PFOA awareness charities, and spreading awareness.