The document discusses the harmful chemicals used in the fashion industry and their effects. It focuses on nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), which are commonly used as cleaning agents in textile production. NPEs can disrupt hormones when they contaminate water systems and are absorbed through the skin. A Greenpeace study found NPEs in 63% of clothing items from major brands, with some samples containing over 1,000 mg/kg of NPEs. While their effects on humans are still uncertain, NPEs are considered dangerous endocrine disruptors and their use is restricted in the EU. The constant exposure to various chemicals used in clothing production may pose health risks.

1. What Are You
Wearing?
An exploration into the use of harmful chemicals
and practices in the fashion industry

2. introduction
 People are thinking more and more about
what goes into their food but there is still little
publicity regarding potentially dangerous
chemicals used in the production of
clothing
 Mostly because of Greenpeace’s “Fashion
Detox” campaign, this is beginning to
change
 Was one of the first widely publicized
scientific studies on the subject

3. NPEs—What are they?
 nonylphenol ethoxylates (aka NPEs) are a
common type of synthetic cleaning agent
 Are often used in the production of textiles
and in the clothing industry
 Can also be found in many detergents
 Roughly 270 million pounds of NPEs are used
in the U.S. each year

4. NPEs—Why are They Harmful?
 Because they function as a cleaning agent,
almost all NPEs end up being rinsed down
the drain and into rivers and lakes
 Not just in the Global South, but locally as
well
 A U.S. Geological Survey study found
metabolites of NPEs present in over 61 per
cent of tested U. S. streams.

6.  When NPEs end up in water systems they
become incredibly dangerous
 They mimic the hormone estrogen and act
as endocrine disruptors
 Especially if they break down into NPs
 NPs have been involved in the widespread
"feminization" of male fish and in the
disruption of hormone processes in some
mammals
 Once ingested, the body cannot tell the
difference
 resulting in cellular confusion in reproduction
and development

7.  No conclusive studies have confirmed the
negative affects of NPEs on humans
 However, many scholars have listed NPEs as at
least a partial cause of modern hormonal health
issues
 The use of NPEs is completely restricted in Europe
 Residue from NPE used in the textile production
process remains in garments long after they
leave the factory or even after several washes
 And other contaminated organisms can easily
end up in our food
 The constant NPE contact with our skin could
have dangerous affects
 Constant contact with harmful chemicals is
changing our bodies

8. Azo Dyes
 Azo Dyes are another substance often used
in textile production because of their ability
to create a wide spectrum of hues with
outstanding colorfastness
 The use of these dyes is potentially
dangerous because they can easily break
down into cancer-causing amines

9. Other Harmful Substances
 During the journey from plant to product,
cotton undergoes a series of processes
 bleaching, sizing, dying, straightening, shrink
reduction, stain and odor resistance,
fireproofing, mothproofing, and static- and
wrinkle-reduction
 Chemicals often used for finishing garments
include formaldehyde, caustic soda, sulfuric
acid, bromines, urea resins, sulfonamides,
halogens, and bromines, and long-lasting
disinfectants.

10.  Residues from using these chemicals can cause
moderate to severe reactions in people with Multiple
Chemical Sensitivities
 These can manifest as rashes, itching, dermatitis,
swelling, and restriction of breath
 People are developing allergies to formaldehyde in
particular
 Which is also shown to be a powerful human
carcinogen
 PPD is another substance used in black dyes and the
treatment of leather which causes particularly severe
reactions
 As of now, there is no universal requirement to disclose
the chemical content of clothes manufactured
 Often extremely hard to trace where garments are
made and which dangerous compounds are likely
present

11. Greenpeace Study
 As part of their “Fashion Detox” campaign, this
study was conducted in April 2012
 Tested 141 clothing items from 20 major brands
looking for evidence of phthalates, NPEs, and
azo dyes
 (all harmful and potentially carcinogenic)
 Brands tested included Calvin Klein, Adidas,
Converse, Ralph Lauren, Abercrombie & Fitch,
Bauer Hockey, Cortefiel, Uniqlo, Gap, H&M,
Lacoste, Zara, Mango, Nike, Phillips-Van Heusen
Corporation (PVH Corp), Levi’s, and Puma
 Tested garments from 27 countries

12. Results
 NPEs were the most commonly detected
substances, identified in 89 of the 141
articles (63% of the total).
 NPE concentrations ranged from just above
1 mg/kg up to 45 000 mg/kg.
 12 samples (9% of articles tested) showed
concentrations over 1 000 mg/kg
 NPEs were detected in one or more
products from all of the tested brands, in at
least one product from 13 of the 18
identifiable countries of manufacture, and in
products sold in 25 out of the 27 countries

13. Results (cont.)
 In addition to the widespread presence of
NPEs, carcinogenic amines (from azo dyes)
were found in two of the tested garments
 The garment with the highest NPE content
was a screen printed t-shirt manufactured
and sold in Mexico

16. “Fast Fashion”

17. Accountability