An investigation by the Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals has identified PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in waterproof jackets purchased online and in Denmark.

The Danish Consumer Council THINK Chemicals purchased 26 jackets from online platforms such as Amazon, Shein and Temu, as well as from shops in Denmark. They then tested the jackets to see if they contained PFAS.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of over 10,000 highly persistent chemicals. They hardly degrade in the natural environment, leading to them lasting for generations.

Exposure to some PFAS, such as PFOA and PFOS, has been linked to numerous adverse health effects, such as the promotion of certain cancers, disruption of the immune system, and reduced fertility.

PFAS is often added to jackets due to its water repellent properties.

They found that 13 out of the 17 jackets purchased from Temu, Shein and Amazon contained PFAS. 12 of those jackets contained PFAS that are illegal in the EU, and these jackets were therefore reported to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

The test also revealed PFAS were present in jackets across a broad price range, as the cheapest jacket and the most expensive jacket both contained illegal PFAS.

Amongst the products purchased from Danish shops, 1 in 9 contained PFAS that are currently legal in Denmark.

However, the study also showed that safer alternatives are available, as 12 of the jackets tested did not contain PFAS.

Danish Minister for the Environment, Magnus Heunicke, said:

“PFAS are a problem for our health and our environment, and we must do what we can do to stop their use.”

From July 2026, a ban will come into force in Denmark that prohibits the sale and import of clothes, shoes and impregnation sprays which contain PFAS.

CHEM Trust supports the proposed EU ban on the group of PFAS chemicals to provide protections for people and nature across Europe.

Read more on PFAS here.

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