Check School Clothes for Toxic Chemicals, says WWF

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Chemicals belonging to the 'non-stick' family of perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are increasingly being used in synthetic clothing, including children's clothing. PFCs, such as Teflon, are used in many school trousers and skirts to give them durability and are frequently labelled 'non-iron'.

School uniform is compulsory for school children in some countries, and for some colours, there may be no Teflon-free option.

Scientists have found perfluorinated compounds, classified as cancer-causing chemicals by the US Environmental Protection Agency, in a wide range of wildlife species - including polar bears, dolphins, whales and in humans world-wide.

'Without knowing it, parents are exposing their children to toxic chemicals in clothing that could have serious future consequences for their health and the environment. Children are usually more vulnerable to the effects of chemicals than adults, so the presence of these substances in school clothing is particularly alarming,' says Dr Richard Dixon, Head of WWF Scotland.

WWF is advising parents to check the labels on items of clothing for the presence of chemicals such as Teflon and, where possible, to buy clothing made from natural fibres such as cotton or linen.

'The use of man-made chemicals is increasing, and at the same time we have warning signals that a variety of wildlife and human health problems are becoming more prevalent,' adds Dr Dixon. 'It is reckless to suggest there is no link between the two and give chemicals the benefit of the doubt. Urgent action is needed to replace hazardous chemicals with safer alternatives especially in clothing and other consumer products.'

PFCs are also used in numerous consumer products such as non-stick pans, carpets, household cleaners and some food packaging. As well as perfluorinated compounds, other harmful man-made chemicals still in use today include phthalates, phenolic compounds - such as bisphenol A - and brominated flame retardants (BFRs). Phthalates can be found in plastics (including PVC), phenolic compounds in food cans and plastic bottles, and BFRs in textiles, furniture and electrical appliances such as TVs and computers.

These toxic compounds, which have been shown to be contaminating the environment and a wide range of wildlife, have been linked to cancer, damage to the immune system, behavioural problems and hormone disruption

WWF believes that current regulations to protect wildlife and people from these hazardous chemicals are ineffective. The EU is negotiating new legislation (called REACH) to regulate industrial chemicals. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a safer future for our children and wildlife.

WWF is calling for the legislation to phase out chemicals that are persistent and bioaccumulative, or those that can disrupt the endocrine system and only allow their continued use where there is an overwhelming societal need, where no safer alternatives exist, and where measures to minimize exposure are put in place.

WWF therefore considers that the availability of a safer alternative should be sufficient grounds for banning such chemicals of very high concern.