{"hq_id":"hq-p-wer-000013","name":"Waterproof Rain Jacket (DWR-treated)","category":{"primary":"clothing_apparel","secondary":"outerwear","tags":["PFAS","DWR","Gore-Tex","waterproof","forever_chemicals"]},"product_tier":"WER","overall_risk_level":"moderate","description":"Waterproof/breathable rain jackets and hardshell outerwear (Gore-Tex, eVent, etc.). Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish traditionally uses PFAS (C6/C8 fluorocarbons). Membrane-based waterproofing (ePTFE in Gore-Tex) is itself a fluoropolymer. PFAS detected in sweat wipe tests from jacket wearers. Some brands transitioning to PFAS-free DWR (wax, silicone, or dendrimer-based). EU PFAS restriction proposal could ban fluorinated DWR by 2027.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"severe","synthesis_confidence":0.556,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"human_infant","context_source":"available_priority","exposure_modifier":1,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":1,"compounds_total":1,"synthesis_date":"2026-07-30","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"overall_risk":"moderate","primary_concerns":["PFAS DWR coating — dermal transfer during wear","PFAS environmental persistence (forever chemicals)","ePTFE membrane is a fluoropolymer","Manufacturing PFAS emissions","End-of-life: PFAS leaching in landfill"],"sensitive_populations":"Outdoor workers (all-day wear), children","exposure_routes":"Dermal (wearing), environmental (manufacturing, disposal)"},"exposure":{"routes":["dermal"],"contact_types":[],"users":[],"duration":"years","frequency":"weekly_seasonal","scenarios":["Dermal contact during handling of Waterproof Rain Jacket (DWR-treated) (years contact)"],"notes":"Prolonged skin contact; PFAS transfer increases with sweat and abrasion"},"consumer_guidance":{"red_flags":["No PFAS-free claim","Re-applying DWR spray (additional PFAS exposure)","Old garments with C8 PFAS"],"green_flags":["PFAS-free DWR (wax/silicone based)","PFAS-free membrane (Sympatex, Dermizax)","bluesign or OEKO-TEX certified","Manufacturer PFAS phase-out commitment"],"what_to_ask":["Is the DWR PFAS-free?","What membrane technology is used?","bluesign certified?"],"alternatives":["PFAS-free rain jackets (Patagonia H2No, Nikwax)","Waxed cotton (Barbour)","PU-coated nylon (budget PFAS-free)"],"notes":null},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":["EU PFAS restriction proposal (2023, potential 2027 ban)","California AB 1817 (PFAS in textiles ban 2025)","Maine LD 1503 (PFAS in products)","REACH"],"certifications":[],"labeling":{},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":"difficult (mixed materials)","disposal_guidance":"Donate if usable; textile recycling if available; landfill as last resort (PFAS leaching concern)","hazardous_waste":false,"expected_lifespan":"5-10 years"},"formulation":{"form":"garment","key_ingredients":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000001","name":"PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)","role":"DWR_coating","concentration_pct":"0.5-2","match_status":"repaired-D391","match_date":"2026-07-14","_d391_repair":{"was":"hq-c-org-000028","now":"hq-c-mix-000001","basis":"compound_name match (CAS/name-verified)"}},{"hq_id":null,"name":"Nylon/polyester fabric","role":"shell","concentration_pct":"70-80"},{"hq_id":null,"name":"ePTFE membrane (Gore-Tex)","role":"waterproof_membrane","concentration_pct":"5-10"}],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-mix-000001","compound_name":"PFAS","role":"water_repellent","typical_concentration":null}],"identifiers":{"manufacturer":"","common_names":[],"aliases":[],"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Nestlé","manufacturer":"Nestlé","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Global food and beverage conglomerate"},{"brand":"Coca-Cola","manufacturer":"The Coca-Cola Company","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Global beverage leader"},{"brand":"Kraft Heinz","manufacturer":"Kraft Heinz","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Major food processing company"},{"brand":"Organic Valley","manufacturer":"Organic Valley","market_position":"premium","notable":"Premium organic food cooperative"},{"brand":"Whole Foods Market","manufacturer":"Whole Foods Market","market_position":"premium","notable":"Premium organic and natural foods"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-23"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EU PFAS restriction proposal (2023, potential 2027 ban)","jurisdiction":"","year":2023,"id":"src_2f3666bf"},{"type":"regulation","title":"California AB 1817 (PFAS in textiles ban 2025)","jurisdiction":"","year":2025,"id":"src_5f79ac5f"},{"type":"regulation","title":"Maine LD 1503 (PFAS in products)","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_1ef0bd9c"},{"type":"regulation","title":"REACH","jurisdiction":"","id":"src_d1b087d5"},{"citation":"Cousins IT et al. Outside the Safe Operating Space of a New Planetary Boundary for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Environ Sci Technol. 2022;56:11172-11179","doi":"10.1021/acs.est.2c02765","relevance":"Planetary boundary exceeded","id":"src_001","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"EPA. PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation. Federal Register. 2024;89:32531","relevance":"US regulatory standards","id":"src_002","type":"epa","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"CDC/ATSDR. Fast Facts: PFAS in the U.S. Population. 2024","relevance":"Human biomonitoring data","id":"src_003","type":"cdc","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"Bair-Brake H. Current Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Research Points to a Growing Threat in Animals. AVMA Convention 2023","relevance":"Pet exposure and health effects","id":"src_004","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"Wang M et al. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Northern California cats: temporal comparison and a possible link to cat hyperthyroidism. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2018;37:2523-2529","relevance":"Cat hyperthyroidism association","id":"src_005","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"Guillette TC et al. Domestic Dogs and Horses as Sentinels of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Exposure. Environ Sci Technol. 2022","relevance":"Gray's Creek NC pet study","id":"src_006","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"AVMA. Researcher looking at PFAS exposure in dogs, cats. 2023","relevance":"PFAS in Pets research initiative","id":"src_007","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"3M Company. Settlement with Public Water Suppliers. Press Release. April 1, 2024","relevance":"$12.5 billion settlement","id":"src_008","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"EPA. Key EPA Actions to Address PFAS. Updated 2025","relevance":"Federal regulatory actions","id":"src_009","type":"epa","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"Sjödin A et al. Polyfluoroalkyl Chemicals in the U.S. Population: Data from NHANES 2003-2004. Environ Health Perspect. 2007;115:1596-1602","relevance":">98% detection rate","id":"src_010","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"Botelho JC et al. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure in the U.S. population: NHANES 1999-March 2020. Environ Res. 2025;270:120916","relevance":"Latest NHANES PFAS data","id":"src_011","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"citation":"Peterson ME. Hyperthyroidism in cats: what's causing this epidemic of thyroid disease and can we prevent it? J Feline Med Surg. 2012;14:804-818","relevance":"Feline hyperthyroidism emergence and potential causes","id":"src_012","type":"other","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"id":"src_pfoa_dupont_1961","type":"toxicology_record","title":"DuPont 1961 PFOA hepatomegaly findings (Welsh et al., summarized in C-8 trial discovery)","year":1961,"accessed":"2026-05-08","notes":"DuPont internal toxicology study found PFOA hepatomegaly in mice as early as 1961; documented via litigation discovery in the PFOA C-8 multi-district litigation. Earliest documented internal-knowledge record cited in EPA 2018 PFOA Stewardship Program admin record.","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"},{"id":"src_3m_pfas_settlement_2023","type":"court_record","title":"3M $10.3B PFAS public-water-suppliers settlement","year":2023,"accessed":"2026-05-08","notes":"3M settlement with US public water suppliers ($10.3-12.5B range across filings); 3M PFAS Stewardship reference page documents the company's PFOS phase-out (2002) and biopersistence research dating to the late 1970s, also detailed in the EPA 2018 PFOA Stewardship Program administrative record.","inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-mix-000001"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-08-29T01:18:28.722Z"},"_notice":"ALETHEIA output is reference data, not professional advice. Not a substitute for primary agency sources or qualified professionals. See https://aletheia.holisticquality.io/disclaimer.","_disclaimer_url":"https://aletheia.holisticquality.io/disclaimer"}