Questions and answers

PFAS – what is it actually?

Posted on by Theresa Habermann
21
Feb

PFAS not used by Tapir - but what does it mean in the shoe care industry - we explain

Frequently Asked Questions about PFAS

What are PFAS?

PFAS is an abbreviation for per- and polyfluorinated chemicals. According to the latest estimates by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), this group of substances comprises more than 10,000 different substances. PFAS do not occur naturally in the environment and have only been produced and used since the late 1940s.

From a chemical point of view, organic compounds consist of carbon chains of different lengths, in which the hydrogen atoms are completely (perfluorinated) or partially (polyfluorinated) replaced by fluorine atoms. Perfluorinated carboxylic acids and sulfonic acids and their precursor compounds are most commonly used. Precursor compounds are substances that can be degraded to these persistent perfluorinated substances.

PFAS are divided into short-chain and long-chain PFAS . Short-chain PFAS are compounds with fewer than seven perfluorinated carbon atoms.

Where do PFAS occur in everyday life?

Since PFAS are water, grease and dirt repellent as well as chemically and thermally very stable, they are also referred to as so-called “eternity chemicals”. Due to their properties, they are used in many consumer products, including cosmetics, cookware, paper coatings, textiles or ski waxes. PFAS are also used for the surface treatment of metals and plastics, in pesticides or fire extinguishing agents, but also in some shoe care products.

At Tapir, we do not use PFAS in our products. We use the properties of natural raw materials to maintain shine, moisture protection and care. Unfortunately, it is also widely used in the shoe care industry and does not need to be declared. We tapirs are clearly against it and want to educate!

How do PFAS become a problem for the environment?

PFAS are constantly accumulating due to their longevity and non-retrieval. Our knowledge of their effects is still limited, but in recent years both environmental and harmful effects have been demonstrated for certain PFAS. This is particularly worrying in combination with the longevity.

PFAS accumulate in soils, waters, and the atmosphere because they do not biologically or chemically break down. They are therefore resistant to natural degradation processes such as UV radiation, heat or microorganisms.

PFAS get into rivers, lakes and groundwater through wastewater, industrial waste, sewage sludge and rainwater. Locations with PFAS-containing firefighting foams, such as airports or military bases and sewage treatment plants, are considered particularly contaminated, as they cannot fully filter out PFAS.

PFAS can disrupt the soil microbiome and reduce soil fertility in the long term. Because plants can absorb PFAS from contaminated soil and water, it puts a strain on the food chain.

Animals also suffer from the consequences of PFAS. Studies show that PFAS can cause hormonal imbalances, reduced reproductive capacity, immunosuppression, and stunted growth in wild animals.

What diseases are associated with PFAS?

PFAS are suspected of causing numerous health problems because they enter the human body, accumulate there and are degraded very slowly. Scientific studies have linked PFAS to a wide range of diseases and health disorders. Here you can see the most important clinical pictures and health effects:

PFAS are suspected of causing testicular and kidney cancer in particular. In addition, there is an increase in hormonal disorders such as infertility and thyroid diseases. PFAS in the body can weaken the immune system and thus lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Autoimmune diseases such as arthritis are also suspected of being associated with PFAS. Liver disease and metabolic disorders and developmental disorders in children have also been observed.

Although more precise effects and the exact mechanisms have not yet been sufficiently researched, there is already strong evidence that the strong accumulation in the body is harmful to health in the long term.

How has PFAS contamination developed in recent years?

In recent years, the burden of PFAS has developed in a differentiated way. On the one hand, according to long-term studies by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), there have been fewer signs of certain PFAS compounds in human blood in Germany since the 1980s. On the other hand, numerous new contamination sites have been identified, indicating ongoing environmental pollution. Research by NDR, WDR and the Süddeutsche Zeitung found that more than 1,500 sites were contaminated with PFAS, including over 300 hotspots with significant threats to human health. This is mainly about soils and waters.

Due to the ongoing environmental pollution and health risks, measures against PFAS are being tightened. The European Union, for example, is planning stricter limits for PFAS in drinking water. The German government is also striving for a regulation that would apply throughout Europe to reduce emissions of PFAS into the environment.

Why are PFAS used in shoe care products?

PFAS are used in shoe care products due to their unique chemical properties, as they have particularly effective water, dirt and grease repellent effects.

PFAS are often used in waterproofing and sealing sprays for shoes because they form an extremely strong water-repellent (hydrophobic) layer on the surface of materials such as leather, textile or synthetic fabrics. This layer can prevent water from penetrating the shoes, which is especially beneficial for outdoor shoes, hiking boots and winter shoes.

In addition to water repellency, PFAS are also highly resistant to grease and dirt (oleophobic). So they prevent dirt particles, oil or other substances from sticking to the shoes.

Due to the long-lasting properties of PFAS, their protective effect remains intact even in rain, snow or muddy environments over a longer period of time.

Although PFAS in shoe care products have many practical benefits, the disadvantages still outweigh the disadvantages:

Due to the extreme longevity of PFAS, they accumulate in the environment , leading to pollution of soils, waters and the food chain. Also, the strong health risks are not to be sneezed at, as they remain in the human body and are associated with diseases such as cancer, hormonal disorders and immune system problems.

Tapir does not use PFAS in any of its products and would like to point out once again how dangerous they are for humans and the environment. Our products are all made of natural raw materials, the properties of which lead to moisture protection, shine and care!

Are there PFAS-free impregnating agents for shoes?

Since we at Tapir as a natural manufactory pay particular attention to sustainability, we naturally do not use PFAS in our products.

Our environmentally friendly impregnations are made from purely natural raw materials and effectively protect against external influences. With high-quality ingredients such as lanolin, stearin, jojoba oil and orange oil, we have developed products for leather but also for other fabrics such as cotton or functional materials, such as Gore-text, which nourish and, above all, protect against moisture without using PFAS.

Our impregnations penetrate deep into the fabric and form a protective layer that reliably repels water, dirt and stains without compromising the natural breathability of the smooth leather. The application is very simple: spray on, gently massage in evenly with the application brush and let it dry – for optimally protected and well-groomed shoes.

Sustainability in shoe care is our top priority. All products in our range are certified according to the strict NCP standard, are delivered in environmentally friendly packaging and consist exclusively of renewable raw materials. Tapir does not contain PFAS.

Are there any legal regulations that regulate the use of PFAS in shoe care products?

The use of PFAS in shoe care products is regulated by law in the European Union. Some PFAS, in particular PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) and PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), are already restricted in their production and use by the EU chemicals regulation REACH (Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006) and the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation (EU) 2019/1021.

In addition, the five European countries Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden submitted a comprehensive proposal to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) in January 2023 to restrict all PFAS in all areas of use. ECHA’s assessment of this proposal is expected to be completed by 2026/2027. Then the EU member states will decide on the exact form of the ban. The aim is to further minimise the use of PFAS due to their environmental and health risks.

In the USA, some states have already taken stricter measures. New York and California, for example, have imposed bans on clothing containing PFAS from January 1, 2025. These regulations also affect impregnating agents and could therefore have an indirect impact on shoe care products.

For these reasons, it is expected that the regulation of PFAS in shoe care products will be further tightened in the coming years, both in Europe and internationally.