14 november 2014

Step guide to killer substances

Brachi and Process Factory sum up the situation regarding hazardous chemicals

Brachi and Process Factory – who are partners in providing fashion and textile companies assistance and services on sustainability of products and processes – sum up the situation regarding hazardous chemicals: those that the most “virtuous” have already committed to eliminate and those that will be banned by law in short term. The topic is the chemical management, that involves both the fashion brands and the supply chain in an always more stringent and mutually binding way.
“The support our network offers is a guarantee, because the competence of Brachi in matter of risk assessment, personalised technical assistance and product compliance is unique”, the president of Brachi Group Primo Brachi says. “Process Factory, on the other hand, accompanies the companies step by step in defining methos and processes of CSR and sustainability, compliance management system, code of social and environmental ethics, directly and through 4sustainability”.

Alkylphenols
Used in the process of washing and dyeing, the may persist in the environment for long periods of time, accumulating even in the human food chain. Being similar to the hormone estrogen, they can interfere with sexual development in some organisms. Their use is today only limited, but it will be permanently banned from July 2015.

Azo dyes
They are among the most common dyes used in industry. Europe has already banned them, because they release cancerous chemicals such as aromatic amines.

Brominated and chlorinated flame retardants (PBDEs)
They are used to reduce the flammability of fabrics. They can interfere with the hormonal systems of growth and sexual development. Europe limits its use without prohibiting it altogether.

Chlorinated solvents
They are used for cleaning fabrics and diluting other substances. Highly harmful to the environment and the ozone layer, they also are toxic to the nervous system, liver and kidneys. Since 2008, Europe has reduced the use of chlorinated solvents both in the production and the wash of fabrics.

Chlorobenzenes
Used in the production of various dyes, adversely affect negatively the functionality of the thyroid, liver and central nervous system. Hexachlorobenzene, in particular, is also a hormone disruptor. Europe limits its use.

Chlorophenols
They serve to preserve and make it more resistant fabrics. They are extremely toxic, dangerous for aquatic organisms and humans. Europe has reduce their use.

Heavy metals
In the textile industry, Cadmium, Lead and Mercury are used as dyes. Once assimilated by the body, they can cause irreversible damage to the liver and central nervous system. Cadmium and Hexavalent Chromium, in addition, can cause the onset of cancer. Today, their use is subject to severe restrictions.They will be banned permanently by 2020.

Perfluorochlorinated compounds
They are used to produce fabrics and leathers water-repellent and stain-resistant. They are very difficult to dispose and once absorbed in the body can damage the liver and alter the growth and reproduction of hormones. They will be phased out by July 2016.

Phthalates
Phthalates are present in some dyes, also used to “soften” the rubber, plastic and vinyl. They are harmful to reproduction of mammals and can cause problems in testicular development during the first years of life. Europe bans their use only in children's products.

Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
Used in the finishing of leather and fabrics, they are very toxic and difficult to dispose, whereas they accumulate easily in living organisms. Their use is forbidden in Europe only in part.

Stannic organic compounds
They are used in the production of socks, shoes and sports clothing to prevent odor caused by perspiration. They contain tribustagno, which accumulates in the body and damages the immune and reproductive systems. Their use is just limited by Europe, for now.

Condividi