Greenpeace Blacklists Major Apparel Brands For Use Of Hormone-Changing Chemical

Major int'l apparel brands such as Armani, Nike, adidas and Li Ning "have been named by Greenpeace for using Chinese suppliers that use a hormone-changing chemical in their manufacturing processes," according to the WANT CHINA TIMES. Prior to making the results of its '11 report public, Greenpeace had already sent letters to 15 well-known apparel brands in China, "informing them that tests showed that two of their suppliers in China had been releasing waste materials that contained nonylphenol, a chemical that can affect hormones and harm reproductive systems." Though there is no concrete scientific proof, some experts believe that "clothing produced with the use of nonylphenol could damage health through contact with the skin." Of the 15 companies, seven had agreed to "detoxify" their products, though Li Ning "was the only Chinese company to take the pledge" (WANT CHINA TIMES, 8/12).