Research

A new study released by Toxic-Free Future finds toxic chemicals in most products labeled stain- or water-resistant, with 72% testing positive for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Items that were found to contain “forever chemicals” include rain jackets, hiking pants, mattress pads, comforters, napkins, and tablecloths.

This report traces the path of American PFAS in food packaging back to one manufacturing company, Daikin America, which manufactures in Decatur, Alabama. We found that in 2019, Daikin’s Decatur PFAS manufacturing plants reported releasing 240,584 pounds of a potent greenhouse gas and ozone-depleting chemical, HCFC-22.

This study, the first since 2004 to analyze PFAS in breast milk from mothers in the United States, found that 50 out of 50 women tested positive for PFAS, with levels ranging from 52 parts per trillion (ppt) to more than 500 ppt.

New testing indicates major fast-food chains are still serving up PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) with some of their most popular takeout foods, despite increasing consumer demand and legislative action to phase out the use of toxic PFAS chemicals.

No level of lead exposure is safe, and kids can be harmed at levels lower than the federal government’s action levels. In analyzing the results of our study, we therefore compared the concentrations found in Puget Sound homes with federal action levels but also with screening levels set or recommended by other states and organizations.

Our new investigation of six leading Best Buy and Amazon-brand televisions revealed retailers and suppliers are using outdated, hazardous chemicals to meet fire safety standards that can be met with safer alternatives or material changes.

Chemicals that are harmful to kids are put in thousands of children’s products. For over a decade, Washington state has required companies that make children’s products to report to the state if their products contain any of the 85 chemicals considered a high concern for kids’ health. Between September 1, 2018 and January 31, 2019, […]

WATCH the Webinar! Report Materials: – Executive Summary – Full Report – Appendix 1 – Results Summary – Appendix 2 – Results by Category – Appendix 3 -Full Results – Results by Retailer – Press Release Grocery store takeout is a convenient way to get dinner on the table. But it shouldn’t come with harmful nonstick […]

Health experts are concerned about children’s exposures to toxic flame retardants because these chemicals are linked to cancer, obesity, and learning issues. Childcare centers that use foam nap mats can have higher levels of cancer-causing flame retardants in their dust. Children are exposed to the chemicals when they breathe or ingest the dust. Toxic-Free Future […]

Toxic-Free Future launched its investigation in March 2017 to assess industry progress in replacing TCE with safer alternatives for use in vapor degreasing. We reached out to 143 facilities that may currently use TCE for vapor degreasing to confirm this use. We then asked about their plans to phase it out or about barriers preventing a phase-out.