Waterproof coatings (DWR - durable water repellent) make outdoor clothing water-, oil- and dirt-repellent. They often contain long-chain perfluorinated and polyfluorinated chemicals (PFC). The application of these substances to a wide variety of products has led to their wide distribution in the environment. Compounds such as perfluorooctanoic acids have already been identified in many different habitats and organisms, including humans, and even in remote areas such as the Arctic and Antarctic. PFCs are generally categorized as extremely persistent. Some of those chemicals have negative effects on reproduction, which can lead to a variety of environmental problems and possible far-reaching consequences for human health.

The concrete goal of the Center for Environmental Research and Sustainable Technologies (Zentrum für Umweltforschung und nachhaltige Technologien, UFT) at the University of Bremen is the identification of alternative chemicals which are satisfactory in terms of both their impregnation qualities and their environmental and health effects. Textile finishing chemicals are to be selected and the environmental hazard potential of this fiber finish for outdoor products determined.

Project implementation:

Universität Bremen
Zentrum für Umweltforschung und nachhaltige Technologien (UFT)
Nachhaltige Chemie
Dr. Stefan Stolte
Leobener Str.
28359 Bremen
0421 | 218-63370
stefan.stolte@uni-bremen.de



AZ 31708