33 items including
boots, goalkeeper gloves and the official ‘Brazuca’ ball were tested for a
range of substances. adidas’ iconic ‘Predator’ football boots were found to
contain very high levels of toxic PFC at 14 times the company’s own restriction
limits [1].
"Brands
like adidas may equip some of the world’s greatest players and claim to be
championing the beautiful game but our investigations have revealed they are
playing dirty. With their profits set to soar during the World Cup, we demand
that these brands stop fouling football and clean up their game,” says Manfred
Santen, Detox Campaigner at Greenpeace Germany.
Independent
laboratories found chemicals like perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs),
nonylphenolethoxylates (NPEs), phthalates and dimethylformamide (DMF) in
products from all three companies and purchased across three continents. These
hazardous substances can leach from the products into the environment or get
into the food chain. Some of them potentially cause cancer, disrupt the
hormonal system or can be toxic to reproduction.
17 out of 21
football boots and half of the goalkeeper’s gloves tested were found to contain
ionic PFCs such as the particularly dangerous PFOA [2]. After the adidas’
"Predator" boot, Nike’s "Tiempo" boot contained the highest
levels of PFOA at 5,93 micrograms per m2. A pair of adidas ‘Predator’ gloves
also contained levels of the substance in excess of the brand’s own limits. The
‘Brazuca’ official World Cup ball was found to contain NPEs, a substance that,
when released into the environment, degrades to nonylphenol known to be toxic
to fish and other aquatic organisms. NPEs were also found in over two thirds of
boots and half of the gloves, indicating the widespread use of this chemical.
Phthalates and
dimethylformamide (DMF) were detected in all 21 boots. DMF - used as a solvent
in boots manufacturing - is classed as toxic to reproduction and can be harmful
when in contact with skin.
“Despite their
Detox commitments, Nike and adidas are failing to tackle their toxic addiction.
On behalf of the players, the fans and the local communities affected by
toxic-water pollution we urge them to come clean by publicly disclosing the
release of all hazardous chemicals and publishing a precise PFC phase-out
plan,” says Santen.
Contacts
Manfred Santen,
Detox Campaigner, Greenpeace Germany
Email: manfred.santen@greenpeace.de
Tel +49
151-18053387 or
Patric Salize,
Press Officer, Greenpeace Germany
Email: patric.salize@greenpeace.de
Tel +49
171-8780828
Greenpeace
UK Press Office - +44 (0) 20 7865 8255
Notes
Since its
launch in 2011, Greenpeace’s people powered Detox campaign has convinced 20
brands, from luxury over fast fashion to sportswear to commit to eliminate
hazardous chemicals from their products and supply chain by 2020. While some
companies are meeting the urgency of the situation by acting on their
commitments, others such as adidas and Nike are hiding behind a veil of paper
promises and greenwashing actions. For more information on progress see the
Detox Catwalk: http://bit.ly/KXdKc0
[1] The adidas
"Predator" boot tested for the highest concentration of the ionic
Polyfluorinated chemical (PFC), PFOA at 14,5 microgram per square meter – 14
times the brand’s own PFOA limits of 1 microgram per square meter.
[2] PFOA can
damage the immune or the reproductive system
Resources
[1] Report “A
Red Card for sportswear brands”: http://bit.ly/1hR7tba
[2] Photo set: http://bit.ly/QWV8uN
[3] Clipreel: http://bit.ly/1sHXeLb (for preview) and http://bit.ly/1vpx0Bt (for download)
[4] Petition: http://www.detoxfootball.org/