{"id":47665,"date":"2024-10-28T19:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-10-28T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/?p=47665"},"modified":"2025-11-26T14:22:52","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T13:22:52","slug":"pfas-in-your-mackintosh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thegreenlist.nl\/en\/pfas-in-je-regenjas\/","title":{"rendered":"PFAS in your mackintosh?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It rhymes, but it's not that funny. Did you know that some mackintoshes contain PFAS. These substances are harmful to people and the planet. We need to get rid of PFAS. So how do they end up in an everyday product like a mackintosh? And what should you do if you suspect you have such a water-repellent one hanging on your coat rack?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Mackintoshes with PFAS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mackintoshes may contain PFAS. Sounds scary, we thought so too. So we asked ourselves: what exactly is it? PFAS is a collective name for more than six thousand chemicals and it is widely used in industry and in everyday products. PFAS are all around us and they have even been found in our drinking water, in our bodies and in unborn children. We know that some PFAS can make us seriously ill. For good reason, steps are now being taken for a total ban, but unfortunately it is not that far yet. We have previously written extensively about PFAS<\/a>. So why do we still use it? These fabrics have a number of unique properties. They make stuff water-, grease- and dirt-repellent. The link with the mackintosh is so easily made... But, don't be alarmed, it is in many more everyday products. It is also used in cosmetics, fire extinguishing foam, carpets, frying pans (Read more about PFAS in frying pans in this article<\/a>), pizza boxes, hiking boots (We have also written about PFAS and hiking boots<\/a>), ski wax (yes, really!)<\/a> and many more. The \u2018good\u2019 news is that PFAS is not harmful in normal use, Experts say<\/a>. Still, it doesn't sit well with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure><\/div>
\"Sustainable<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

An old mackintosh with possible PFAS and a sustainable PFAS-free mackintosh from Dutch mackintosh brand Maium. This one is made from recycled PET. You can read more about recycled fabrics in this article.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to do with a mackintosh containing PFAS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Suppose you have a mackintosh that you suspect contains PFAS. What should you do then? Can you keep wearing it safely or is it better to throw the mackintosh away? And if you throw it away, where should it go? And so we contacted the independent organisation Milieu Centraal with these questions. And this is what their advice is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n