REI Hit With Proposed Class Suit Over PFAS in Outdoor Clothing

Recreational Equipment Inc. deceptively markets certain waterproof garments as “sustainable” despite the presence of harmful PFAS, “forever chemicals” known to harm humans and the environment, a new proposed class action alleges.

PFAS chemical treatments are typically used to make textiles water-repellant or waterproof, stain-resistant, and breathable, the suit says.

Testing has shown that REI’s men’s, women’s, and kids’ jackets contain heightened levels of organic fluorine, an indicator of unsafe per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the complaint alleges.

The chemicals are readily absorbed into the body by various means and are harmful even at very low levels, the consumers say in their ...