PFAS, PFCs, PFOAs, PFOs, POPs, PTFEs – these acronyms may sound complex, but they all refer to a group of over 15,000 man-made compounds known as fluorocarbons or per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) that are used to make products resistant to stains, oil, grease, soil, fire and water. They’re commonly found in everyday products like cookware, clothing, food packaging, and yes – even tents.
In recent years PFAs have earned the nickname “Forever Chemicals” due to their extreme durability and resilience to nature’s elements and natural processes. They are long-lasting and high-performing, but this level of performance comes with a cost.
Forever chemicals may be good for product innovation and development, but they’re hazardous to our future. Their widespread presence and persistence poses significant risks to consumers’ human health and living organisms and ecosystems everywhere. This is primarily because they bioaccumulate, which means they stay in the environment and our bodies for lifetimes, making them challenging to manage, eliminate and thus causing growing concern.
Governmental regulation is needed but in the meantime fortunately, many manufacturers, including outdoor gear brands like Diamond Brand, are transitioning to healthier, more sustainable alternatives to minimize their impact and harm. We are taking proactive steps to eliminate forever chemicals from our products… forever.
In this blog, we’ll explore the dangers of forever chemicals, their presence in our lives- and our gear, and Diamond Brand’s commitment to producing safer alternatives and reducing our chemical footprint. Sustainable practices can have a positive ripple effect across supply chains, industries, and the world at large, and we’re excited to be a part of the movement.
The Dangers of Forever Chemicals
PFAS chemicals are prized for their fire, water and stain-resistant properties and effectiveness but they pose significant health and environmental risks.
Multiple studies, including those from the CDC, have linked PFAS exposure to adverse health effects and various health issues ranging from everyday symptoms like headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue to much more serious conditions like:
- Cancer
- Immune system suppression
- Hormone problems and endocrine system disruption
- Infertility, reproductive disorders and birth defects
- Thyroid dysfunction
- Cognitive delays and neurological issues
- Metabolic disorders
- Seizures
- Coma
- Respiratory problems
But the adverse effects go beyond human health. There are also serious environmental risks because as PFAs coatings degrade through everyday wear and tear, their harmful compounds are released into the air, soil, and waterways, accumulate over time and linger for hundreds of years in the plants and wildlife, flora and fauna of nature. The contamination of our natural ecosystems, our food and water sources has even more untold consequences for the future of our planet.
“Safe”… but Toxic
It is heartbreaking to know that most tents sold in North America, whether for camping, backpacking or even indoor play, are treated with harmful flame retardants and other PFAs to start or slow the spread of fire.
This is a result of outdated flammability and safety standards established in the 1970s.Thanks to the No Toxics Tent Act of 2023, manufacturers can now be exempt from adding these unnecessary chemicals. Despite this new legislation and many advancements in materials and technology, the journey to a non-toxic tent has only just begun.
Seven states and Canada still require FR compounds in tents, even though there’s little documented evidence that these treatments enhance camper safety and very few records of tent fires exist.
Diamond Brand Gear is proud to be one of the pioneers offering camping tents and gear that are flame retardant-free. We are actively working to avoid FR chemicals in our next generation of tents, researching fabrics where the retardancy is inherent to the fiber. Unfortunately we do face regulatory hurdles in certain markets. Rest assured, we’re not giving up!
Read more: worldbiomarketinsights.com/circular-tents-reduce-campings-carbon-footprint/
The Challenges Ahead
As awareness of the risks associated with forever chemicals continues to grow, consumers are demanding safer and more sustainable alternatives.
Lawmakers, regulators, and industry leaders everywhere are pushing for government regulations on these toxic substances, prompting businesses and brands to take action. Several states in the US are implementing or considering bans or restrictions on these chemicals in consumer products and greater regulations on drinking water.
As impending legal actions and consumer activism pushes companies to accelerate their transition away from PFAS, many companies are voluntarily reducing their reliance, slowly phasing them out of products and packaging, or eliminating them altogether.
This involves
- engaging with suppliers to find suitable alternatives and replacements
- investing in extensive research, testing and experimentation
- redesigning products to meet both performance and sustainability criteria.
While the transition away from PFAS is underway, challenges remain. Replacing or eliminating PFAS is not without its complexities and complications, including:
- Difficulty in identifying and eliminating existing contamination sources from unintentional or unknown sources of PFAS across the complete complex supply chain and manufacturing processes
- Difficulty in maintaining product performance and functionality (Some PFAs-free material may repel water but not oil or fire)
- Difficulty in communicating with suppliers or convincing them to produce PFAs materials
Despite these obstacles, the urgency to eliminate PFAS is growing each day, especially in the outdoor industry. This is driven by the need to comply with emerging regulatory pressures and new laws, increasing consumer awareness and demands for safer and more sustainable products.
The industry as a whole remains in various stages of transition. Some companies have already phased out these chemicals, while others, like Diamond Brand, are still in the process of doing so. We thank you for your patience in this pivotal transition as we navigate all of the logistical challenges of phasing out PFAS.
Our Commitment to Safety & Sustainability
Diamond Brand is proud to be joining the charge, paving the way for a PFAs-free future along with outdoor industry leaders like KEEN, REI, Patagonia, Black Diamond, Dueter, Marmot, Fjällräven and many others.
We recognize the importance of producing outdoor gear that is both high-performance and environmentally responsible. That’s why we’ve made a conscious decision to eliminate PFAS coatings from our products moving forward.
In the past few years we have invested significant time and resources into finding alternatives to PFAS, recognizing the urgency of the situation as more formal regulations and bans on these chemicals loom on the horizon. Instead of continuing to rely on traditional PFAs-based fabric treatments, we are continuously improving our raw materials and processes to find healthier alternatives for flame retardancy and other desirable tent qualities: fade resistance, mildew resistance and of course – water resistance..
All of our compact tents (which we no longer make) have DWR (Durable Water Repellant) coatings to ensure they hold up in the elements. Fabrics without DWR just soak up water and get very wet (which isn’t good for a tent, huh?). As mentioned before, the search is on for non-PFAS, eco-friendly and durable water repellant coatings. These are currently being developed in response to consumer demand and new regulations, so it won’t be before chemical-free tents are the norm.
At Diamond Brand, we’re on a mission to build circular tents and shelters to last a lifetime. These tents, made from recycled, upcycled and natural materials will be reducing our carbon footprint and long term impact on the environment because they’re made cleanly and responsibly, without the need for harmful or toxic coatings. We also believe in radical transparency, providing clear information on product manufacturing, effectiveness and care.
Our current ECO-FRIENDLY TENT OPTIONS
- Atlas wall tent with Tough Duck fabric (C0-DWR coating)
- Stratum Rainfly with WeatherMAX fabric (C0-DWR coating)
- Clearance Outlet: Free Spirit compact tent (FR-Free but with a C6-DWR coating)
AND Coming Soon…
Stay tuned for more sustainable options to come as we unveil a new product line in Fall 2024!
After almost 3 years in development, our new tents will available in 100% recycled polyester with a PFAs-free, C0 DWR performance coating, OR in undyed cotton with eco-friendly Nikwax coatings designed to withstand moisture, mildew, and fading.
A Call to Action
It’s time to place the collective global wellness at the forefront of business! It’s time to prioritize human health and safety and environmental stewardship and sustainability BEFORE profit.
We’re urging companies and brands to reconsider their reliance on performance chemicals and actively find healthier, better alternatives in their product design and manufacturing..
And of course, we’re urging consumers to choose PFAs-free tents and other outdoor gear so that we can stop adding to the global pollution burden.
Diamond Brand is excited to lead the way in the tentmaking industry by prioritizing the well-being of our customers and the planet. By eliminating PFAS coatings from our tents, we’re not only protecting our health and the environment, but also promoting the values and culture of a circular economy, social responsibility, and of course innovation, exploration and adventure.
OUR MISSION CONTINUES… Will You Join uS?
Diamond Brand is committed to cultivating life-enriching (healthy, safe and sustainable) camping experiences for individuals, groups, and families everywhere.
We go camping and glamping to breathe in the fresh air and experience the peace and renewal that only nature can provide. We go camping and glamping to connect with our surroundings and our loved ones, making memories that last a lifetime.
Join us in our mission to enjoy the great outdoors safely and responsibly, without compromising durability, comfort, or health. SUBSCRIBE at the form below to stay connected to our community of eco-friendly explorers, adventurers and changemakers.