PFCs (per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals) are all completely man-made chemicals which do not occur naturally. They are commonly used in DWR (durable water repellent) coatings and waterproof membranes. These fluorochemicals have been used for some time to give clothing water and stain resistant properties. Until fairly recently there were very few alternatives so as it became obvious that PFCs were harmful to the environment more focus fell upon the use of PFCs, especially within the Outdoor Activities sector.
There are many sources of PFCs within the clothing sector but over half of the most hazardous PFC chemicals are used for weatherproof clothing. The fact that we are in the outdoors and understand the environment more than most should be a good reason for all outdoor enthusiasts to take note and act on this information as much as possible. With the wave of sustainability and environmentally friendly issues gaining more popular support and coverage it is an ideal time for companies to throw their full weight behind developments in this area.
The awareness surrounding the effects of PFC's has grown as more research has been carried out. Once released into the environment PFCs break down very slowly; they can remain in the environment for many years after their release and are dispersed over the entire globe. They can affect both the wearer of the garment and the environment when it washes or rubs off jackets. It has accumulated in measurable levels in snow, ice and water around the world. For some PFCs there is evidence that they cause harm to reproduction, promote the growth of tumors and affect the hormone system.
For more information on the wide reaching impacts of PFCs Greenpeace carried out some extended research and the publication 'Footprints in the Snow' details this truly global issue. From research like this pressure is starting to mount on outdoor brands particularly to lead the way in eliminating the use of PFCs but the problem of finding a high performance, waterproof alternative has been a stumbling block.
