Olympics Ban 'Forever Chemicals' in Ski and Snowboard Wax
The upcoming 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games will be the first Olympics to enforce a ban on 'forever chemicals' (PFAS) in ski and snowboard wax. This move by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation addresses severe health risks to athletes and technicians, and widespread environmental contamination. The ban aims to promote athlete safety and environmental protection, with strict testing and disqualification measures now in place, signifying a major shift towards non-toxic alternatives.
For the first time in Olympic history, the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games will completely ban toxic fluorinated ski waxes, known to contain 'forever chemicals' or PFAS. This landmark decision, driven by the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, comes after decades where elite athletes gained a competitive edge using these high-performance waxes, particularly in wet snow. However, the performance benefits came at a steep cost, as PFAS pose serious health risks to individuals, including immune system suppression, increased cancer risk, and harm to fetal development. Ski technicians, exposed daily to fumes during wax application, faced particularly high risks. Additionally, the waxes continuously shed into the snow, contaminating alpine ecosystems, waterways, and food chains, persisting for decades due to their non-degrading nature. The ban, which took effect during the 2023-2024 season and includes rigorous testing of all skis, marks a significant turning point for athlete safety and environmental protection. Two South Korean skiers have already been disqualified from these games due to PFAS detection on their equipment. The article highlights the widespread presence of PFAS in various consumer products and the environment, emphasizing the importance of informed choices and the growing availability of effective PFAS-free alternatives, such as those produced by mountainFLOW.
