Greenpeace, in its reports has said that they have found trace amounts of potentially hazardous chemicals in World Cup 2014 soccer merchandise released by Adidas, Nike and Puma. The study, which tested 33 products including football boots, shirts and goalkeepers gloves, found concentrations of PFOA in some products above EU regulatory limits and for the first time, sampled items for DMF, a chemical used in the synthetic leather making industry.
With the 2014 World Cup to be held in Brazil just around the corner, Greenpeace will launch its latest study on potentially hazardous chemicals in the textile industry with the roll out of its new report: ‘A Red Card for Sportswear Brands.’ This latest study as a part of its detox campaign tested a total of 33 products including 21 pairs of football boots, seven football shirts, four pairs of goalkeepers’ gloves and one ball, which were bought from 16 different regions around the world. These products from Nike, Adidas and Puma were tested for the presence of perfluorinated chemicals (PFC) and analysed for nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE) and phthalates. The football boots and ball were analysed for dimethylformamide (DMF).
The reports says that such high levels suggest their deliberate use as a plasticiser, contrary to the corporate policies of brands and above the limits set in their chemicals management programs.
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