The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has identified more than 1,500 textile mills that may be releasing the per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS). The EWG analysis follows a recent report by Toxic-Free Future finding PFAS in coats, tablecloths, bedding, and other textiles. EWG’s analysis is based on a review of government data released by the U.S. EPA. EWG found that 1,500 manufacturers may be discharging PFAS, and there are currently no standards limiting PFAS discharges into air and water by textile mills. Overall, EWG has found 29,900 industrial sites that could be using PFAS. According to EWG, the textile industry is a significant user of PFAS chemicals, but the extent of the PFAS discharges from textile mills is unclear.
Per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFAS) are a significant concern in the pollution of drinking water sources and aquatic environments. PFAS are a group of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Fluoropolymer coatings can be in various products, including clothing, furniture, adhesives, food packaging, heat-resistant non-stick cooking surfaces, and electrical wire insulation.
Many PFAS, including perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), are a concern because they:
• Do not break down in the environment
• Can move through soils and contaminate drinking water sources
• build up (bioaccumulate) in fish and wildlife
• PFAS are found in rivers and lakes and many types of animals on land and the water.
EWG has created a Suspected Industrial Discharges of PFAS Map, using data from the EPA Chemical Data Reporting Rule database, the EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online database, Federal Aviation Administration data, and a survey by the New York Department of Environmental Conservation. The map shows the locations of 41,828 industrial and municipal sites known to produce or use, are suspected of using or are suspected source of the toxic PFAS.
If a developed country like the USA has such concerns from the textile sector, Pakistan, being the textile nation, should do the needful to restrict such contaminations to save the environment and people from the potential toxic effects.
Unfortunately, the pollution level is rising in Pakistan at an alarming rate. The government should take prompt action to enforce ethical production across the textile value chain.
The cost is a big reason restricting the textile sector from switching to sustainable alternatives.
Therefore, sustainable resources should be arranged with subsidized rates or other perks offered to the textile sector.
However, the rising pollution situation is becoming like Now or Never. As a nation, there are enormous challenges for ethical textile production and saving the environment before it is too late.
