12/04/2013
The large retail chains selling fashion clothing contaminated by dangerous chemicals that can alter the hormonal system of man or that, if released into the environment, they can become cancerous. It is the complaint published in the international report "Toxic Threads - The Big Fashion Stitch-Up" that Greenpeace today from Beijing with a parade shock.
The chemical analysis - we read in the press release - performed by Greenpeace on 141 products of 20 leading fashion brands (Benetton, Jack & Jones, Only, Vero Moda, Blazek, C & A, Diesel, Esprit, Gap, Armani, H & M, Zara, Levi's, Victoria 's Secret, Mango, Marks & Spencer, Metersbonwe, Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger and Vancl) show the connection between the plants in textile production - primarily responsible for the poisoning of waterways - and presence of hazardous chemicals in the final products.
"By selling products contaminated with hazardous chemicals, the most famous brands in the fashion we are becoming unwitting victims of fashion that pollutes. The substances found by Greenpeace, in fact, contribute to the pollution of the waterways around the world, both during production and in domestic washing "- said Li Yifang, toxics campaign manager of Greenpeace East Asia.
For each brand, one or more items analyzed contain NPE (nonilfenoloetossilati compounds) which can release the corresponding nonylphenol, dangerous because it can alter the hormonal system of man. The highest levels in excess of 1 ppm, were found for the brands Zara, Metersbonwe, Levi's, C & A, Mango, Calvin Klein, Jack & Jones and Marks & Spencer (M & S). For ZARA also analyzed four of the leaders to be contaminated with high levels of toxic phthalates, and two others show evidence of carcinogenic amine derived from azo colorants.
"As the largest retailer in the world of clothing, ZARA must urgently adopt a clear and ambitious plan to eliminate toxic substances from its production chains" - says Martin Hojsik, Detox Campaign Coordinator of Greenpeace International. To convince the Spanish company to clean up the production chain, Greenpeace today launched a petition globally on www.greenpeace.org / italy / zara
The clothes have been analyzed mainly produced in the South of the world with artificial and natural fibers. They include jeans, pants, t-shirts, dresses and underwear designed for men, women and children. The manufacturing processes of the global textile industry using hazardous chemicals that travel in textiles from sites of production to those of consumption. To date there is no information on the possible health problems for the wearer of these products.
Greenpeace is calling on brands of clothing to commit to clear the use of all hazardous chemicals by 2020 - as have some major brands including H & M and M & S - and to require their suppliers to disclose to the local community values of all toxic chemicals released into the waters from their plants.
Greenpeace is the leading independent campaigning organization that uses peaceful direct action and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and to promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future.
