A model poses on a catwalk during a fashion show organized by Greenpeace in Beijing on Tuesday, which exposed toxic residues found in clothing from fashion brands. Photo: courtesy of Greenpeace |
Hormone-disruptive chemicals and dyes that release cancer-causing substances have been found in clothing from world-leading fashion brands including Zara and Calvin Klein as well as local brands VANCL and Metersbonwe, according to a report released by Greenpeace in Beijing on Tuesday.
The environmental NGO in April purchased 141 garments sold in 29 countries and regions by 20 global clothing brands and tested for several hazardous chemicals. About a quarter of the products were made in China.
The tests show that all the brands made at least several items that contained hazardous chemicals. About 63 percent of the samples contained NPEs, which could degrade into hormone-disruptive nonylphenol. Four samples had high levels of phthalates that are toxic to the reproductive system, and traces of cancer-causing amines from the use of azo dyes were detected in two products from Zara.
Among the 34 samples made in China, 21 of them were problematic, said the report.
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