Environmental Concerns With Ski Wax

Skiing is an exciting, challenging winter sport. Wax helps skis go faster by reducing friction between skis and the snow. It also helps protect the skis from damage. Wax works well, but there is a serious environmental downside to using certain ski waxes.

  1. Toxins for Wax Technicians

    • Flourinated wax contains perfluorocarbons, or PCBs, some of which contain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which has been shown in lab animals to cause cancer. Studies conducted by the National Institute of Occupational Health in Norway have found that wax technicians work in environments that have 25 times the level of PFOA as in a controlled environment. Another study suggested that PFOA levels may be the cause an increase of asthmatic symptoms, as well as headaches and vomiting among wax technicians.

    Toxins for Users

    • Ski wax helps protect the base of skis from damage.

      Inexperienced, young skiers may layer their skis with wax haphazardly. To experience the rush that comes with high speed, many young racers liberally apply wax to their skis, exposing themselves to dangerous fumes. Research by the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that the PCBs in the wax may be carcinogenic.

    PFOA in Wildlife etc.

    • As skis slide over the snow, some wax rubs off. When the snow melts in the spring, the PCBs and PFOAs from the ski wax enter the water run-off. Researchers have found both PCBs and PFOAs in wildlife and fish worldwide.

    Alternatives

    • More environmentally friendly alternatives to PCB and PFOA-laden wax exist. One such product is soy wax, which biodegrades easily and is harmless to the environment. The problem with soy wax is that it rubs off more easily and the skier has to re-apply often. However, renewable resources such as vegetable stock and grains produce ski waxes that work well.