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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Environment
Tom Perkins

Toxic PFAS not necessary to make fabric stain repellent, study finds

Man pouring a liquid to clean and waterproof sofa cushions.
Types of fabric, wear and stain management more important to determine how well fabrics repelled water and stains, study suggests Photograph: Luis Ricardo de Souza Alves/Alamy

A new peer-reviewed study calls into question how well PFAS-based products repel water and stains in furniture, shoes, clothing, carpeting, outdoor gear and other consumer goods made of fabric.

Most water and stain repellents applied to fabrics worldwide use toxic PFAS as a main ingredient, and though the controversial chemicals are in thousands of products, water and stain repellency are two of their main consumer functions.

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