London –
Most conscious shoppers already know that the manufacturing of fur is both
being abused and
slaughtered for their skins and more harmful to the environment than its
faux counterpart. However, a new study has unearthed another very troubling
issue within the fur industry: the use of toxic, cancer inducing chemicals.
Issued by Dutch anti-fur organization Bont voor Dieren together with
consumer program ‘Kassa’, the study tested six fur collars taken from
children’s wear jackets from brands such as Canada Goose, Woolrich,
Nickelson and Airforce. The fur collars
were tested at the Bremer Environmental Institute in Germany for potentially
harmful chemical substances, as children are more sensitive to toxins than
adults, which also pose a dangerous threat to their healthy development.
Unsurprisingly to say, the results from the fur samples were shocking.
Five out of the six fur trimmings tested, derived from both raccoon dogs
and coyotes, contained formaldehyde – a carcinogen – at levels exceeding
the safe amount for textiles coming in contact with human skin. In addition
to containing potential cancer inducing chemicals, all six of the fur
samples also contained high levels of nonylphenol ethoxylates, which
disrupt the production of hormones as well as the development of
reproductive organs and is prohibited for industrial use within the
European Union.
“The levels of ethoxylates and formaldehyde are so high that concern about
effects of exposure to these substances is justified,” commented Jacob de
Boer, professor of Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology at the Vrije
University in the Netherlands. “The results deem it necessary to look
closely at the standards for these products, or the implementation of an
eventual ban on them.”
Unfortunately, the recent study from Bont voor Dieren is not the first of
its kind. In spite of several animals rights organizations across Europe,
such as Anima, LAV and Four Paws publishing studies highlighting the
dangerous use of chemicals
,
including carcinogens
,
within fur production, little has been done to counter it. “The results of
this study do not lie,” stressed Nicole van Gemert, director of Bont voor
Dieren, an international
partner
of Fur
Free Alliance.
“They show once again that fur production poses serious threat to the
public health, and this time its about children’s jackets! There have been
several international studies which repeatedly show that fur and fur
collars contain many toxic substances. And there have been far too few
changes or improvements made. I hope that this report will lead to the
government finally taking steps.”
Following the publication of Bont voor Dieren study, animal rights
organization PETA issued a letter to Elizabeth Truss, Secretary of State
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, imploring her to take action by
banning the sale of the material. “Because the fur trim on the jackets
comes into direct contact with the face and because children are far more
sensitive to harmful chemicals than adults are, it is deeply concerning
that these chemicals may be absorbed into the bloodstream of a child’s
still-developing body,” commented PETA campaign coordinator Kirsty
Henderson.
“In addition to causing the suffering and deaths of the millions of animals
who are trapped, gassed, poisoned, drowned or electrocuted every year for
the cruel fur trade, the toxic cocktail of hazardous chemicals used in the
production and processing of furs to stop them from decomposing poses a
very real threat to the health of those who wear them.”
Photos: PETA and Bont voor Dieren