In the sweltering summer heat, divers and surfers can't resist the urge to swim with the sea, eager to head out for the ocean. The ocean is the starting point for many people's love of nature. However, British environmental journalist Anna Turns has a problem: her wetsuit is worn out, and she doesn't want to buy a neoprene one. She needs to find the ideal one.
The Ocean and Cancer Alley
Neoprene is a common wetsuit material. This synthetic rubber, made from chloroprene, boasts low water resistance, quick drying, and a pleasant feel. However, few people know that this material is linked to "Cancer Alley."
Cancer Alley, located in Louisiana, is home to a chemical plant and the only chloroprene rubber raw material plant in the United States. The Denka Performance Elastomer plant is a subsidiary of Nissho Denki Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Denka). In February 2023, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sued the plant for emitting high concentrations of the carcinogen chloroprene and various other substances, putting residents at significant risk of cancer.
Denki Chemical Industries did not respond to requests for comment from The Guardian. In a 2023 report in Chemistry World, the company strongly criticized the EPA's study, calling it "outdated and erroneous science published 12 years ago."
American directors Chris Nelson and Lewis Arnold used the documentary "The Big Sea" to uncover this little-known secret of the diving world. Nelson said, "As surfers, we have been using neoprene for over 50 years, but we have never been told how our surf suits are made or what materials they are made of."
Brands gradually phase out neoprene
Turns searched for alternatives and published an article in The Guardian. Outdoor clothing brand Patagonia launched its first wetsuit not made of neoprene in 2016 and expanded its Yulex wetsuit range from two to 21 styles for men, women, and children.
Yulex rubber is harvested from natural materials such as rubber trees and guayule, and can be used in a variety of applications, including footwear, yoga, and cycling equipment. Patagonia has also applied for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification to ensure that the trees used are not sourced from deforested land.
Professional surf brands Finisterre and Wallien have followed suit, also using Yulex. Decathlon launched its first wetsuit made entirely of natural rubber in June of this year, but has yet to expand this across its entire product line. Wetsuit brand Xcel also announced last year that it would completely phase out neoprene by 2026.
Changing materials is just one way to go. Last year, Finisterre launched a wetsuit rental service, allowing consumers to rent wetsuits made from natural materials at affordable prices. British company Rip Curl partnered with American recycling company TerraCycle to recycle over 20,000 neoprene wetsuits into floor mats and soft cushioning for sports fields.
References：
*The Guardian（2024/5/22），The search for the perfect wetsuit: is there one that doesn’t harm the planet?
*Bloomberg（2024/5/2），Patagonia Is Cracking the Code on Endlessly Recyclable Wetsuits
*CBS（2023/5/14），Synthetic rubber plant in crosshairs amid high cancer risk in Louisiana community
*Surfer Today（2024/5/29），How does Yulex compare with neoprene wetsuits?
*The Big Sea
*Xcel（2023/9/29）， Xcel Commits To Producing Neoprene Free Wetsuits
*Fashion Network（2024/6/7），Decathlon unveils its first neoprene-free wetsuit in Hendaye, France
Sources: Environmental Information Center
