Can protective workwear be made without PFAS?

PFAS is the abbreviation for Per- and Polyfluorinated Alkyl Substances (PFAS) and is a collective term for thousands of synthetically produced chemicals with a similar chemical structure. These chemical substances are manufactured industrially through chemical reactions, in contrast to natural materials that can be obtained directly from nature.

At the molecular level, PFAS consist of carbon chains onto which multiple fluorine atoms are attached. The carbon-fluorine bond is classified as the strongest existing chemical bond. Due to their stable structure, the chemicals are extremely resistant to degradation in the environment  (“forever chemicals”). PFAS therefore have a significant negative impact on the environment and public health.

Products containing PFAS release hazardous substances throughout their entire life cycle. These chemicals are subsequently spread in the environment, including through groundwater and drinking water. It has been demonstrated that PFAS have significant negative effects on humans and animals and can lead, among other things, to various types of cancer, reproductive problems, disruption of the immune system, and liver and kidney damage.

Why is PFAS used in protective clothing?

In occupations carried out in high-risk environments, the primary aim is to protect the wearer. Protective clothing is therefore subject to stringent requirements.

PFAS are applied as an impregnation on finished fabrics, making them resistant to liquids with a low surface tension, such as oil, o-xylene and n-butanol. In addition, PFAS also have good film-forming properties, enabling them to be used as an alternative to a fabric finish such as membranes or laminates. A PTFE membrane (Polytetrafluoroethylene) is an example of a commonly used PFAS membrane that gives the clothing high water repellency and good breathability. The advantages of PFAS are the reason why they are used as protection in workwear, despite their known negative effects on the environment.

Protective clothing against chemicals

For protective clothing with chemical protection, PFAS are often used to provide protection against splashes of chemical substances belonging to the four chemical groups: acid, base, aromatic hydrocarbon and alcohol.

In the EN 13034 standard, the water repellency of the fabric is tested against 30% sulfuric acid, 10% sodium hydroxide/lye, o-xylene and n-butanol. To provide a garment with a CE marking, the EN 13034 standard only requires an approved result for one of the four chemicals.

Solutions for a PFAS-free range

Trendsetters in the textile sector, such as the company Tranemo Advanced Workwear, are offering innovative solutions with less impact on the environment without compromising the level of protection. Various companies are now making it a priority to reduce PFAS usage and consider this a prerequisite to be able to continue working towards a sustainable industry.

PFAS constitute a significant risk to the environment and the health of humans and animals. It is crucial to take measures to reduce the emission and spread of these substances and to monitor their impact on ecosystems. Awareness of the harmfulness of PFAS is increasing, and there are more and more initiatives to tackle and regulate these substances.

Protective clothing with chemical protection certified according to EN 13034

>> Most important protective property – Protection against chemicals in liquid form (acid, base, aromatic hydrocarbon and alcohol) <<

Through testing and innovation, various companies are developing products with a PFAS-free finish that work excellently as protection against acids or bases. This finish is therefore used on much of the workwear with chemical protection. A PFAS-free finish, however, has a lower surface energy and can only repel liquids with a high surface tension, such as acid, base and water.

Various users, however, require protective clothing that repels oil or provides protection against o-xylene and n-butanol. For this issue, no PFAS-free solution has yet been found, making it impossible to completely phase out PFAS. Nevertheless, efforts to find such alternatives are ongoing.

Flame-retardant clothing with arc flash protection certified according to EN 61482-2

>> Most important protective property – Protection against arc flash and thermal heat <<

PFAS membranes are also often used for shell garments with arc flash certification in order to increase arc flash protection and to achieve a higher ELIM value (“Incident Energy Limit Value”). A PFAS-free PU membrane that can withstand flame tests and arc flash tests forms an alternative, applicable for individual garments or in layer-on-layer systems with protection against higher energy levels.

In this way, the business world, where possible, is working on phasing out PFAS from complete product portfolios and is actively contributing to a more sustainable economy.