Athletes’ tip: Pay attention to your clothes

Some sportswear may contain substances harmful to health and the environment.

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The Federation for the Protection of the Environment and Nature in Germany has warned that some sportswear contain substances that are harmful to health and the environment, such as harmful plasticizers, residues of the dyeing process, and silver chlorine.

Synthetic fibers, such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, are well ventilated and often water repellent, but when washed in a washing machine, microplastics are washed away, which can then find their way into the oceans via rivers.

Sportswear can also contain flame retardants, plasticizers, chemicals left over from the dyeing process, and silver chloride.

In order to prevent more pollutants from entering the ecosystem and harming humans, animals and the environment, the federation recommended looking for non-toxic alternatives when buying sportswear, noting that wool has similar ventilation properties to some synthetic fibers, and at the same time it does not contain any Toxic chemicals.

With regard to sports accessories, it is also preferable to avoid soft plastic, and to prefer the use of natural materials, such as choosing a jump rope with wooden handles or a cork or rubber mat for yoga.

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