Unpicking the toxicity in activewear

Abstract or Summary

Nonylphenol (NPs) and Nonylphenol-Ethoxylates (NPEs) are man-made chemicals used in domestic cleaners (until being phased out in the 1990’s) and in the textile processing industry. Research shows that if NPs and NPEs reach open water they enter the food of aquatic life and cause damage through disrupting hormones.   This research seeks to examine whether one of the possible causes of NPs and NPEs entering wastewater streams at Pukete Treatment Plant in Hamilton, New Zealand could be from the initial home laundering, by consumers, of activewear garments. Reports from 2013 and 2015 from water samples at Pukete Treatment Plant, Hamilton show the presence of phenols.   The small pilot study that we have run indicates that phenols are present in some textiles; this is consistent with studies undertaken by Greenpeace in 2011. Further testing is currently being conducted to confirm these results.