Greenpeace finds toxic waterway pollutants in luxury fashion brands
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/02/18/greenpeace-finds-waterway-pollutants-in-luxury-fashion-brands/
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Greenpeace finds toxic waterway pollutants in luxury fashion brands
By Reuters
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 7:23 EST
Environmental campaign group Greenpeace has found traces of chemicals that can pollute waterways in childrens clothing and shoes made by luxury brands, challenging the sectors reputation for higher standards than those of mass fashion.
In a report issued on Monday just before Milan Fashion Week, Greenpeace said it found the substances in products from Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Versace, Hermes, Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton and Marc Jacobs.
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Greenpeace said 12 of the 27 articles it tested contained residues of nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), used in textile manufacturing which it said can break down into hormone-disrupting chemicals when released from garments during washing.
In five items, the group said it also found per- and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) used to make garments water repellent. Five articles tested positive for phthalates, used in printing designs on clothing, and three for antimony, a compound used to manufacture polyester.