Friend,

Camping season is fast approaching. Many of us are gearing up for summer camping trips, hikes through the woods, and enjoying days at the local swimming spot.

But what many outdoor enthusiasts don't realize is that there are toxic substances lurking in a lot of the gear we use to enjoy the great outdoors.

While outdoor gear companies promote healthy lifestyles and urge their customers to enjoy and protect the great outdoors, companies such as Columbia Sportswear haven't committed to protecting human health and the environment from toxic PFAS chemicals.1

Tell Columbia Sportswear to phase out PFAS in its products today.

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of dangerous chemicals that are found in everything from hiking boots and rain jackets to tents and climbing ropes -- and too many companies aren't acting quickly enough to protect their customers.2,3

These chemicals are commonly used in outdoor gear to make products, such as rain jackets and snow boots, more durable and waterproof.4 The problem is that these chemicals are toxic to human health and the environment -- the very things that nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts want to promote and protect.5

That's why we're calling on Columbia Sportswear, one of the country's biggest outdoor apparel and gear brands, to be a leader in phasing out PFAS from its products by 2024.6

Add your name today to tell Columbia Sportswear to lead the industry away from PFAS.

A recent report from U.S. PIRG Education Fund and its partners found that the outdoor industry is lagging behind the trend of phasing these chemicals out of supply chains. In the report, Columbia Sportswear got an "F" because the company has not committed to phasing out PFAS from its products.7 Instead of lagging behind, Columbia Sportswear needs to step up and become a leader by committing to phase out all PFAS from its products.

After all, the gear we use to enjoy the outdoors should not be polluting our bodies or the places we love. Some outdoor gear companies have recognized the threat of forever chemicals and are working to phase them out, but Columbia Sportswear has yet to make the same commitment.

PIRG is also working with partners to get outdoor retailer, REI, to make similar commitments to phase out PFAS. By urging both brands and retailers to commit to PFAS phase-out plans, we hope to push the outdoor clothing and gear industry to get serious about protecting consumers from dangerous "forever chemicals" in their products.

Ask Columbia Sportswear to act today.

Thank you,

Faye Park
President

1. "Going Out of Fashion: U.S. apparel manufacturers must eliminate PFAS 'forever chemicals' from their supply chains," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, NRDC and Fashion FWD, April 6, 2022.
2. Emily Rogers, "Why is nobody talking about outdoor gear's PFAS problem at Snow Show?," U.S. PIRG, February 4, 2022.
3. Juliana Glüge, et. al., "An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)," Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, October 30, 2020.
4. "Going Out of Fashion: U.S. apparel manufacturers must eliminate PFAS 'forever chemicals' from their supply chains," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, NRDC and Fashion FWD, April 6, 2022.
5. Aaron Colonnese, "Explainer: What are toxic PFAS 'forever chemicals,' and how do they affect our health?," U.S. PIRG, March 7, 2022.
6. "Going Out of Fashion: U.S. apparel manufacturers must eliminate PFAS 'forever chemicals' from their supply chains," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, NRDC and Fashion FWD, April 6, 2022.
7. "Going Out of Fashion: U.S. apparel manufacturers must eliminate PFAS 'forever chemicals' from their supply chains," U.S. PIRG Education Fund, NRDC and Fashion FWD, April 6, 2022.