The need to classify the PFAS
Glenn Liza
A study was conducted by The Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM), in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Their report was published which also highlighted a policy brief on Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as a chemical class in the textile industry.
Most of the chemicals used in the textile industry are carcinogenic and cause adverse health impacts on human beings as well as on the earth. PFAS and other chemicals are hazardous and cannot be separated through wastewater treatment. High-risk flame retardants, including brominated and chlorinated organic compounds, are also used in textile production. Many dyes contain heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, and mercury, while azo dyes, used to treat textiles, contain carcinogenic amines.
There are unhealthy practices and mediocre wastewater management which have impacted the lives of the workers and those who stay near the textile industry. Even those who collect the waste, secondary processors, and the environment are harmed in this process.
The report articulated the environmental significance of the textile industry and the extent of PFAS that is used in the textile industry. At the same time, they have stated SAICM’s attempts to date across the textiles life cycle, and illustrate that SAICM can nurture cooperation across the textiles value chain, encouraging a circular economy path.
Their findings show that PFAS has to be managed as a chemical class in the textile industry so that one can support decision making for the Strategic Approach and the right management of chemicals and waste beyond 2020, and encourage other relevant chemicals management discussions.
Some of the organizations have addressed the need for strategies and guidelines to follow to crack down on the usage of PFAS.
The policy brief that was introduced in the report has recommended the governments to:
- eliminate non-essential PFAS productions/uses and prohibit such exports to the developing world
- promote research and development on safe alternatives for essential uses
- the review uses deemed essential to account for the development of alternatives
- improve and expand global access to testing methods
- facilitate data gathering and international cooperation/capacity building
- facilitate private sector initiatives through purchasing decisions and awareness-raising
- strengthen collaboration between all actors in the textiles value chain.
This policy brief has also suggested the private sectors to:
- adopt PFAS elimination policy at the highest corporate levels
- understand the supply chain and provide educational materials/training to suppliers to facilitate PFAS identification
- keep an inventory of potential PFAS sources and uses
- assess essentiality of PFAS’ uses and alternatives, and publicize results while protecting proprietary information
- conduct research and development on safe alternatives for identified essential uses
- improve and expand global access to testing methods
- implement policy and monitor progress
- report policy implementation results transparently and confirms them through a third-party audit.
The conclusion from the report is that there is a need to classify the PFAS as that will help in bringing forth sustainable approaches to the textile industry.
Reference: SDG Knowledge Hub
Picture Credit: Andrea Piacquadio, Chris F (Pexels )
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