After its invention in 1969, the waterproof materials referred to as GORE-TEX grew to become a family identify in outside gear. Now, the enduring firm behind that invention is dealing with allegations about poisonous chemical compounds in its attire.
W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., the Delaware-based firm that owns the GORE-TEX model, is being sued in a class-action lawsuit over claims it misled shoppers that every one GORE-TEX merchandise had been free from PFAS, a bunch of controversial chemical compounds.
GORE-TEX launched PFAS-free jackets and different waterproof gear in 2021. Nonetheless, the model failed to inform prospects that different attire nonetheless contained PFAS, in accordance with the class-action go well with.
“We search to characterize anybody who unknowingly bought Gore-Tex gear believing Gore’s guarantees of ‘efficiency for the planet,’” wrote Steve Berman, managing companion at Hagens Berman, the agency representing the class-action go well with. “We consider what Gore tells its prospects is unfaithful.”
A spokesperson for W.L. Gore & Associates stated the corporate was conscious of the go well with, and supplied a quick assertion: “Gore stands behind its representations, statements and commercials relating to our dedication to environmental accountability in addition to the efficiency and security of our GORE-TEX merchandise.”
Rising Concern Over PFAS
PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, have lengthy been utilized in quite a lot of merchandise, together with electronics, air filters, medical gadgets — even dental floss and ski wax. They excel at repelling water, which is why they’re frequent in outside attire.
However they’re additionally thought-about “perpetually chemical compounds” as a result of they will persist within the atmosphere for lots of of years. Authorities regulators started cracking down on the chemical compounds after the U.S. Environmental Safety Company linked them to “dangerous well being results in people and animals.”
In the previous few years, California, New York, and Colorado have all handed bans on the sale of merchandise containing PFAS. In 2023, REI Co-op eliminated all stock containing the chemical compounds from its cabinets. Because of this, prospects have change into conscious of the environmental and well being points surrounding the chemical compounds, in accordance with the class-action go well with.
By claiming to supply “sustainably made” jackets that allegedly nonetheless used PFAS, the corporate waged a “greenwashing marketing campaign,” the lawsuit says.
By claiming to supply “sustainably made” jackets that allegedly nonetheless used PFAS, the corporate waged a “greenwashing marketing campaign,” in accordance with the class-action go well with.
Must you be involved about well being issues from carrying a jacket with PFAS? In all probability not, a minimum of in accordance with some consultants. However analysis more and more exhibits that the chemical compounds contaminate the atmosphere.
“Sporting the jackets is unlikely to hurt the individual carrying them,” Arlene Blum, a biophysical chemist on the College of California Berkeley, advised The New York Instances in January. “The hurt comes throughout the manufacturing to the water, soil, and air close to the manufacturing facility.”
By claiming to supply “sustainably made” jackets that allegedly nonetheless used PFAS, the corporate waged a “greenwashing marketing campaign,” in accordance with the class-action go well with.
Maryland Sues Over Manufacturing Issues
That’s the main target of Maryland’s lawsuit, which says a number of services from W.L. Gore & Associates (additionally referred to as Gore) launched poisonous chemical compounds that ended up within the consuming water of native residents.
“Gore knew for many years {that a} sort of PFAS launched throughout manufacturing at its Cecil County services was poisonous and posed vital dangers to human well being and the atmosphere,” Maryland Legal professional Basic Anthony G. Brown wrote. “Gore continued to knowingly emit perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) into the air and water with out defending the encompassing communities, inflicting widespread contamination.”
By claiming to supply “sustainably made” jackets that allegedly nonetheless used PFAS, the corporate waged a “greenwashing marketing campaign,” in accordance with the class-action go well with.
Gore disputes these claims. The corporate realized in 2022 of PFOA chemical compounds (just like PFAS) exhibiting up in groundwater close to certainly one of its services, and was working with Maryland regulators to “assess the potential affect of our operations.”
“W. L. Gore & Associates denies the allegations within the criticism and is stunned by the Maryland Legal professional Basic’s resolution to provoke authorized motion, notably in mild of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the previous two years,” the corporate stated in a Dec. 18, 2024, assertion.
The corporate has since printed an internet site explaining its “proactive efforts” to be “good neighbors.” Solely one of many Maryland services at concern within the lawsuit makes merchandise for the GORE-TEX model, in accordance with the Gore spokesperson.
Manufacturers Work to Take away PFAS
Because the potential risks of PFAS grew to become extra clear, some outside manufacturers made an effort to do away with them — even earlier than states began banning them.
However it’s not simple. Fjallraven, for instance, began eradicating the chemical compounds from its manufacturing processes in 2009. However its materials weren’t utterly PFAS-free till 2015, and the zippers had them till 2023 (and nonetheless is perhaps an issue).
NEMO Tools began eradicating PFAS from its sleeping luggage, tents, and different gear in 2020. Its newest line of OSMO gear is totally freed from the substances, in accordance with the model. Rising laws, just like the PFAS ban in California, have pressured many outside manufacturers to make the change, stated Theresa McKenney, the director of sustainability and authorities affairs for NEMO.
“We speak about PFAS loads, however there are loads of chemical compounds that may very well be problematic,” McKenney advised GearJunkie. “Shoppers shouldn’t have to fret about holding monitor of all of them.”
In 2022, GORE-TEX launched an replace to its waterproof gear. The model’s Expanded Polyethylene (ePE) membrane promised extra sturdiness and a decrease carbon footprint, instantly drawing curiosity from Patagonia and Arc’teryx.
In response to the GORE-TEX web site, the gear is free from PFAS chemical compounds.
