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Toxic uniforms

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As children around the world don their uniforms for another day of school, many of them wish they could wear something different. Generally, they see school uniforms as unfashionable and undesirable — little do they know that they can also be unhealthy.

Potentially harmful substances called perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) are increasingly being used to manufacture clothing, especially school uniforms. These chemicals are key ingredients in non-stick coatings, such as Teflon, which are applied to clothing items to help make them stain resistant and more durable, or to eliminate the need for ironing. However, they are also known to contaminate the environment and put people and animals at risk.

These chemicals are dangerous for a number of reasons. Firstly, they are long-lasting, and take many years to break down. Secondly, they are bioaccumulative. The bioaccumulation process begins when small animals absorb small amounts of the chemicals from the air or water. These animals are then eaten by larger animals, and the chemicals build up in their bodies in higher and higher concentrations. The amount of chemicals continues to accumulate in this way so that extremely high levels of PFCs are found in the bodies of animals at the top of the food chain. This is dangerous because these chemicals are toxic.

Tests on animals have shown that PFCs can affect their immune and reproductive systems, and can cause development problems, birth defects and organ damage. These findings are worrying as PFCs have been found in a wide range of animals, including polar bears, dolphins and whales, and in increasing numbers of people around the world. More research still needs to be done to find out exactly how hazardous they are to people, but the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that PFCs can cause cancer.

What is more worrying is that these chemicals present a greater risk to young people. 'Children are usually more vulnerable to the effects of chemicals than adults, so the presence of these substances in school clothing is particularly alarming,' says Dr Richard Dixon, head of the environmental charity The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in Scotland. 'Without knowing it, parents are exposing their children to toxic chemicals in clothing that could have serious future consequences for their health and the environment,' Dr Dixon explains.

So, what can we do about this problem? Unfortunately, school uniforms are compulsory in many schools and that is not likely to change in the near future. As such, the WWF, which has carried out extensive research into the use of chemicals and their effects on people and the environment, advises parents to check the labels on items of school clothing to make sure they do not contain chemicals and coatings like Teflon. They also recommend that people try to buy clothing made from natural materials such as cotton and linen, to reduce the chances of chemical poisoning.

The WWF is also campaigning for new and improved rules to govern the use of dangerous chemicals and compounds, as they think the current regulations are ineffective. They want new laws that restrict the use of chemicals that are a threat to people, animals and the environment. They also believe that safer alternatives should be introduced to make sure that these dangerous substances can be banned.

However, strengthening the laws on the use of hazardous chemicals will not be easy, as many people will be against such changes. As Colin Butfield, head of campaigns for the WWF, points out, 'Companies make huge profits from selling these chemicals, so they are trying to get the regulations weakened.' The WWF recognises that the chemical market is important, but believes that people's health and the environment should come first. He says, 'We need people, school pupils, to tell politicians not to weaken the regulations.'

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