When you wash clothes, you pollute

A researcher pulls out laundry during testing. Researchers tested rinse water for phthalates, which manufacturers add to products to soften vinyl and carry fragrances. Up to 50 percent of a product can be phthalates, said Erika Schreder, lead study author. Because they’re not chemically bound to the product, they can off-gas and slough off to become dust and cling to clothes. Phthalates are banned in the European Union, Mexico, Japan, some other countries. (Photo courtesy Washington Toxics Coalition)