PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, resist grease, oil, water, and heat. They’re used in a lot of outdoor gear to create waterproofing. Unfortunately they’ve been associated with serious health effects, and they’ve been shown to affect nearby watersheds during the production process.
Due to their negative health affects, Patagonia has moved to remove these “forever chemicals” from their gear. The process has been ongoing for the past 15 years, but it wasn’t an easy objective.
“We’ve spent the last 10+ years finding a way to make our gear without “forever chemicals.” These synthetic compounds (usually called PFAS) help make waterproof gear work, but manufacturing them comes with a disastrous toll on our health and the planet’s. That’s why we knew we couldn’t be customers of these nonbiodegradable chemistries any more.“