Home improvement retailer Home Depot will stop carrying some products carrying PFAS chemicals by the end of the year. The company will no longer purchase or sell any carpets or rugs treated with PFAS chemicals. PFAS is an acronym used for a broad range of per- and poly-fluorinated substances used in the making of non-stick surfaces for cookware, stain repellent for carpets, and fire retardants for home products.
“Excluding PFAS from the carpets and rugs we sell is another example of our shared commitment to building a better future for our customers and the planet,” says Ron Jarvis, vice president of environmental innovation.
The Home Depot first published its chemical strategy in 2017 and since then, has reduced many chemicals like formaldehyde and triclosan’s in everyday product categories. The company has also made important strides including:
- Paint – All interior and exterior paint sold in our U.S. stores is low or no VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds)
- Flooring – Removed vinyl flooring products containing ortho-phthalates from product assortment
- Insulation - All fiberglass insulation carries a 100% GREENGUARD Gold certification
- Cleaning – Cleaning products within our Eco Options program obtained certifications from independent third-party testers such as EPA’s Safer Choice and Cradle to Cradle
- Gardening - All stores carry local, organic vegetables and herbs
Studies have shown PFAS to pose a potential risk for testicular and kidney cancers, decreased birth weights, thyroid disease, decreased sperm quality, high cholesterol, pregnancy-induced hypertension, asthma and ulcerative colitis. Home Depot is the first national retailer to take action against PFAS. The move will not impact products carried at the more than 300 Home Depot stores in Canada and Mexico.
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