The Wrinkles in Getting ‘Forever Chemicals’ Out of Our Clothes
Listen now
Description
 So-called “forever chemicals” are seemingly everywhere. A recent government study found close to half of U.S. tap water contains at least one PFAS chemical. They’re also on a lot of our clothes, where the chemicals are used to promote water resistance or repel stains. But some of the things that make PFAS so effective also means they stay in our bodies for years. And these chemicals have been linked to health issues, including high cholesterol and an increased risk of kidney cancer. Now, as clothing companies look to eliminate PFAS from their products, they’re facing another challenge: what to replace the chemicals with—ideally without sacrificing performance. WSJ’s Alex Ossola dives into the textile industry’s efforts to move on from PFAS and change our expectations around our clothing.  Further reading:  Lots of Tap Water Contains ‘Forever Chemicals.’ Take These Steps to Reduce Your Risk.  What to Know About ‘Forever Chemicals,’ or PFAS, and Your Health  How ‘Forever Chemicals’ Are All Around Us, From Winter Coats to Fast-Food Wrappers  EPA Proposes Limits for ‘Forever Chemicals’ in Drinking Water  Coastal Town Brings Mass Litigation—and an ‘Existential Threat’—to Chemical Giants  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More Episodes
What if you had a robot that could take care of your household chores, from doing laundry to making dinner? When the Roomba came out over 20 years ago, it seemed like other autonomous robots for the home were not far off. But no other home robot has yet become a household name. WSJ’s Charlotte...
Published 09/13/24
The amount of electricity generated by solar panels has surged over the last decade. But while rooftop solar panels are more common than ever, the balance of solar-power generation has shifted from power systems on individual homes to large-scale commercial arrays used by utilities. WSJ’s Danny...
Published 09/06/24