German media: Excessive amounts of chemicals contained in Chinese clothing contaminate German river water

On March 28, Germany’s “Landmark” reported that Greenpeace’s investigation found that German clothing and textiles imported from China contained “nonylphenol hydroxyethoxylate (NPE)”, which was discharged during the washing process and became “ Nonylphenol (NP)” flows into rivers and lakes with wastewater. Greenpeace’s chemical experts said that although these substances are not harmful to the human body, they are highly toxic to fish, shellfish and other aquatic organisms.

Reported that the EU has banned or strictly controlled the use of NPE or NP, but there are no specific regulations for the import of textiles containing such substances. Greenpeace found in the summer survey last year that 52 of the 78 products from China were identified as containing NPE. There are millions of people in China who are plagued by the chemical pollution of wastewater. Greenpeace recently conducted inspections on these products and found that NPEs contained in half of the samples were precipitated in 80% of the first wash, and were discharged into the sewer along with waste water and could not be effectively filtered out. Greenpeace requires importers to take immediate measures so that suppliers cannot use toxic materials. There are many large fashion companies that have limited NPE residues, but they are still exceeding their standards.

The German quality inspection agency believes that clothing containing toxic substances is also harmful to humans and wears on the body for too long, which can cause skin irritation and itching.