Keep pulling the thread on Delta Air Lines.
The global clothing industry generates between 2% and 10% of annual global carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to 4 to 5 billion tons per year.
Textile treatment and dyeing processes in the clothing industry are responsible for 20% of global industrial water pollution.
A NIOSH investigation concluded that Delta Air Lines flight attendant uniforms contained tributyl phosphate, heavy metals, biocides, and dispersion dyes suspected to be carcinogens.
A study of 72 children's products found a high prevalence of PFAS, with the highest concentrations in school uniforms and items marketed as stain-resistant or waterproof.
A carbene-based surface modification technique has been successfully applied to a wide range of materials, including polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, Kevlar, Tencel, viscose, cotton, silica gel, alumina, and PTFE.
Polystyrene beads modified with a urea functional group to bind hydrogen peroxide demonstrated antimicrobial activity against bacteria like E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.
The global apparel industry is valued at $2.4 trillion and employs over 300 million people worldwide.
Fiber shedding from garments generates approximately 190,000 tons of microplastics per year, accounting for about 35% of total microplastic pollution.
Irina Modukovic of Harvard University concluded that health issues reported by Delta Air Lines flight attendants were likely caused by a combination of chemicals in their uniforms, not a single agent.
A study by the CBC program Marketplace found that some children's products contained high levels of DEHP, an orthophthalate known to be an endocrine disruptor that causes inflammatory effects.
Research indicates that PFAS coatings on the exterior of children's products can break down and migrate to the inner layer, creating a direct skin exposure pathway.
Modern durable press finishes often use dimethyl dihydroxyethylene urea (DMDHEU) compounds, which can break down during wear and release formaldehyde.