A study released by the Environment and Social Development Organization (ESDO) and IPEN, with a participation of experts from Arnika, reveals high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in surface and tap water samples collected near industrial areas that are centers of the textiles industry throughout and around Dhaka. PFAS chemicals were found in nearly all samples. The water analyses showed PFAS amounts in many samples at levels above current or proposed regulatory limits in the EU, US, or the Netherlands, with several samples containing one or more globally banned PFAS.
In recent years, there has been increasing attention to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a large group of persistent, toxic chemicals used widely by several industries. There has been much attention given to PFAS in drinking water, and it is well known that PFAS are used by the textiles industry, with several studies finding PFAS in many products, including clothing, carpeting, furniture, and other textiles.
While PFAS in consumer products have drawn much attention, the toxic impacts of PFAS used in textile manufacturing have been less studied. This report provides new evidence linking textile-making facilities to PFAS water pollution.
Download the report, below. Read the press release here.
