Maryland PIRG joins national effort calling on REI to phase out PFAS

This week, Maryland PIRG joined a nationwide week of action calling on REI to phase out toxic PFAS “forever chemicals” from their products.

For a year, groups have called on REI to set a timeline to phase out these chemicals due to the harm they cause to public health and the environment in their production, use and disposal.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure to PFAS chemicals, even in small amounts over time, has been linked to serious health effects including cancer, thyroid disruption and reduced vaccine response.

PFAS  are used to make a wide variety of products water- and grease-resistant. They are in use in everything from raincoats and hiking boots to gloves and cookware. PFAS have been given the nickname “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down in our bodies or in the environment. So the more they get used, the more they build up and the bigger the risk they pose to our health.