News about Arlene Blum

Scientists from the United States and Canada have warned that industrial chemicals related to a slew of health issues are rife in school uniforms. PFAS, as they are scientifically understood, are thought to stunt children's growth and have been attributed to cancer and infertility. The chemicals, which are supposed to block stains, don't break down in the environment, hence the name. PFAS don't belong in any clothing,' one of the study's designers, Dr. Marta Venier, of Indiana University, said. 'But their use in school uniforms is especially worrying.' Children are particularly vulnerable to injury, and uniforms are worn directly on the skin for up to eight hours per day.' PFAS, which have water and oil repellent properties, have been added to textiles for decades to discourage staining. They're also used in cookware, children's toys, and can now be found in some water sources. Children are exposed to fibres by direct skin contact, as well as fibre inhalation or ingestion. They can accumulate in the bloodstream and are now commonly detected in children's health screenings.