| More
Animal Friends warns about the health hazards of wearing fur
- Studies on fur clothes showed high levels of toxic substances; the presence of toxins also in clothes for children
Do not buy and do not wear items made of fur due to cruelty to animals. You are aware that fur is not ecological, that natural resources such as drinking water are relentlessly being consumed and that we are polluting the environment. You found out that toxic chemicals harm workers in production and people living nearby. But did you know that the production of fur is disastrous to human health and for those who wear it? Research in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands and Italy found in fur items presence of toxic substances in concentrations higher than those allowed!
It is particularly concerning that the toxins are found in children's clothing with fur accessories. A study in Italy determined that it has been also found in the well-known fashion brands. The last study, conducted in the Netherlands, testing fur items for children from known fashion brands found excessive levels of hazardous formaldehyde and ethoxylates.
Toxic substances often remain in the fur clothing and expose consumers to health risks. Most tested fur items, such as hood edge, showed high levels of chromium, formaldehyde and ethoxylates, which can cause irritation, allergies, cancer and hormonal instability. When wearing such items, toxic substances absorb through the air or through the skin. Ethoxylates in the human body can stay up to twenty years, causing chronic health problems.
Although the fur industry claims that fur is a natural product, the University of Michigan study found that it takes 20 times more energy to produce fur coat than artificial fur. It is a very unnatural process in which the fur deterioration is prevented by treatment with a number of hazardous chemicals, which are heavy polluters. After primary fur treatment it is common to use additional toxic substances such as thinner and paint. This is resulting in great damage to the environment and that is the reason why animal breeders for fur production and owners of facilities for the processing are often punished.
At the same time, fur production workers are exposed to hazardous substances and increased risk of developing leukemia and cancer. Animal fur products are dangerous for those who work in the production but also for those who wear them! We should not forget that animals in the fur industry die by gassing, neck breaking or electrocution.
Regarding the health hazards of animal fur items and harmfulness of such production for the environment, Animal Friends invites consumers not to support such products. With numerous available materials on the market there is no valid reason to use animal fur.
In 2007, Croatia introduced a legal ban on breeding animals for fur, with a transition period of 10 years. Beside obvious ethical reasons, which is why more than 70 percent of Croatian citizens supported the praiseworthy legal ban, proven harmful effects of fur on the environment and people is an additional argument to preserve the ban to become legal in 2017 to the pride of Croatia and all its citizens.
The results of an independent German research laboratory, Umweltinstitut Bremer, who did the analysis for the Netherlands.
I am an expert in the field of animal welfare, environmental impact assessments, and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of fur in the fashion industry. My expertise is built upon a comprehensive understanding of various studies and research conducted by reputable institutions in Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Netherlands, and Italy. Additionally, I am well-versed in the findings of the University of Michigan study, as well as the results of independent research carried out by the Umweltinstitut Bremer, a German environmental research laboratory.
The evidence presented in these studies unequivocally demonstrates the severe health hazards associated with wearing fur, particularly in the context of toxic substances found in fur items. The research, spanning multiple countries, reveals concentrations of harmful chemicals in fur products that surpass permissible levels. Notably, the presence of these toxins extends to children's clothing with fur accessories, even from renowned fashion brands.
Toxic substances such as chromium, formaldehyde, and ethoxylates have been identified in fur clothing, posing serious health risks to consumers. The potential consequences include irritation, allergies, cancer, and hormonal instability. Furthermore, the studies indicate that these hazardous substances can persist in the human body for extended periods, up to twenty years in the case of ethoxylates, leading to chronic health problems.
Contrary to the claims of the fur industry regarding its natural origins, the University of Michigan study underscores the unnatural process involved in fur production. It requires 20 times more energy to produce a fur coat compared to artificial fur. The treatment of fur with various chemicals, including heavy polluters like formaldehyde, thinner, and paint, raises significant environmental concerns. Animal breeders and facility owners engaged in fur production often face legal consequences due to the environmental damage caused by these practices.
Furthermore, the health risks extend to workers in the fur industry who are exposed to hazardous substances, resulting in an increased risk of developing leukemia and cancer. The ethical considerations surrounding animal welfare are also highlighted, emphasizing that animals in the fur industry endure cruel and inhumane treatment, including gassing, neck breaking, and electrocution.
In light of these compelling findings, Animal Friends advocates against the support of fur products and urges consumers to choose alternative materials readily available in the market. The information presented aligns with the ethical stance taken by Croatia, which introduced a legal ban on breeding animals for fur in 2007, with the ban becoming fully effective in 2017. This decision, supported by more than 70 percent of Croatian citizens, is based not only on ethical grounds but also on the proven harmful effects of fur on both the environment and human health. The Umweltinstitut Bremer's independent analysis for the Netherlands further reinforces the validity and importance of these concerns.
