A new study by Greenpeace reveals that many major clothing labels still use nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) despite there being a ban on their use in Europe. NPEs are surfactants, and contain chemicals that break down in the water to form hormone-disrupting substance called nonylphenol (NP). Leading brands including Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas and H&M manufacture clothing using NPEs which are hazardous even at very low levels. The clothing items tested, where the chemicals were detected, are bought from and manufactured in locations all over the world, indicating a very widespread problem. A previous campaign by Greenpeace resulted in Nike and Puma committing to work with their suppliers to eliminate all toxic chemicals from their supply chains and products by 2020.

Source: Greenpeace

Click here for more research reports

First Published in August 2011

Top of page