The Comprehensive Guide To Toxic Chemicals In Your Clothing
You've probably heard it before. Toxic chemicals are almost unavoidable. Whether it's in the food we eat, what we sleep in, or what we wear, harmful chemicals like BPA, PFAS, Formaldehyde, Phthalates, Lead, Azo Dyes, and Flame Retardants are hard to avoid in everyday life.
The negative effects of these chemicals in our food is more commonly discussed and known, but many of us may overlook the harmful chemicals in clothing and the fashion industry.
When you're working out, your pores expand to release sweat. What kind of impact does the presence of these chemicals in our activewear have on our skin and on our health?
In this piece, we will discuss common toxins in activewear, their impact on your health, how you can limit exposure to these toxins, and the ways in which Silver Sea is providing a better option for women looking to ensure their activewear is healthy for both their bodies and the environment.
What Harmful Toxins and Chemicals Are In Our Clothing And Activewear?
Below are a list of the most common toxic chemicals in activewear:
These chemicals are harmful in a number of ways. They can disrupt hormones, and cause diabetes, obesity, and skin irritation. They also contain carcinogenic properties.
Furthermore, they're harmful for the environment to produce and responsible for the notoriously large emissions associated with the textile industry.
Many of these harmful chemicals are also found in the bodies of both humans and animals across the world.
Overview
The vast majority of the brands you likely wear and have purchased activewear from make their apparel from synthetic fabrics. Take a look at any athleisure or activewear brand's site and click on a product. You will see that synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon are what comprise many of the items they sell.
This is because synthetic materials are much cheaper to produce compared to natural fibers like TENCEL™. In their defense, these synthetic fabrics have many qualities that women love in their activewear. They're stretchy, moisture-wicking, stain-resistant, antibacterial, and much more. As we discussed in prior blogs, women love these attributes and mention them often when they provide 5-Star reviews of sports bras.
As you may already know, synthetic fabrics are made using crude oils, which means that these fabrics are produced using alarming amounts of toxins and harmful chemicals. It's also unsettling to learn that approximately 10-20% of industrial pollution comes from the textile manufacturing process, and over 8,000 chemicals are used to turn raw materials into the clothing we wear everyday.
Many of these toxins have a number of averse health effects. BPA has been linked to an increasing susceptibility to cancer. PFAS can cause damage to the liver and immune system and has also been associated with low birth weight, birth defects, delayed development, and newborn deaths in lab animals. Furthermore, these toxins can disrupt your endocrine system, which can lead to developmental malformations, interfere with reproduction, increase your risk of cancer, and disturb your immune and nervous system.
Below we will dive deeper into each of the most common and harmful toxic chemicals in clothing with a focus on activewear, but before we get to the most sustainable exercise clothing material, let's understand the least:
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #1: BPA (Bisphenol A)
Studies have shown that BPA is one of the most common toxins found in our everyday clothing. According to the National Library of Medicine, Bisphenol A (BPA) is an organic synthetic compound serving as a monomer to produce polycarbonate plastic. It is widely used in the packaging of food and drinks, medical devices, thermal paper, dental materials, and clothing. It's also used to produce many of your favorite pieces of activewear apparel.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH) recently released a report detailing their findings that activewear and clothing from over 100 major brands had up to 30 times the legal limit of BPA, based on the threshold according to California law. Take a look at the report in the link above which lists out the major brands that were found to have dangerous levels of BPA in athletic wear items like sports bras, socks, and athletic shirts.
While these findings detailing toxic chemicals in athletic wear are concerning to say the least, there is a positive outcome that we can takeaway from all this. As we will explore in greater depth later, brands like Silver Sea are working tirelessly to create products that are free of these harmful chemicals so consumers have the option to wear BPA free workout clothes. To start, we are offering our Lifestyle Sports Bra, a sustainable and BPA free sports bra.
The Lifestyle Sports Bra is made from natural materials and is just the first of many comfortable, healthy, and sustainable sports bra and sustainable activewear products that we have planned on the roadmap for the next year.
What To Know About BPA & What It Is
According to CEH, BPA is a well known endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC), which means that it looks and acts like hormones produced by our bodies. As a result, this confuses our endocrine system and causes disruption of normal bodily functions. The endocrine system is responsible for metabolism, growth,, development, and reproduction. Changes in the way this system functions can lead to a number of averse health effects.
What Clothing Materials Is BPA Most Commonly Found In?
We're guessing you may be wondering how to avoid BPA in clothing. BPA in clothes is unfortunately all too common, and this is a big reason why we've decided to create a sustainable line of BPA free athletic wear. To start, it's best to choose plant-based materials.
Studies have found high levels of BPA in sports bras, activewear, and shirts, primarily in apparel made from synthetic fabrics.
If you're wondering why so many brands have been found to contain BPA in workout clothes, it comes down to cost. Synthetic materials are significantly cheaper to produce
To avoid BPA in clothing, we recommend starting by avoiding synthetic materials. BPA is most commonly found in polyester-based clothing and CEH recommends looking for clothing made from natural fibers.
Negative Health Effects of BPA (Sources: CEH, National Library of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Oxford Academic)
- Developmental harm
- Delayed onset of puberty
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Hormone disruption
- Hyperactivity
- BPA exposure has also been found to be correlated to the development of breast cancer and prostate cancer
- According to Mayo Clinic, BPA can also be linked to increased blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, PFAS or "forever chemicals" are manufactured chemicals used since the 1940's in industry and consumer products. These synthetic substances are used to provide common features that you most likely value in your activewear, such as water and stain-resistant properties.
There are over ten thousand PFAS chemicals, some more widely used than others, but because of their widespread use over the past 80 years, PFAS have been found in the blood of people and animals across the globe.
What To Know About PFAS & What It Is
PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, also known as "forever chemicals" because of how slowly they break down over time. Many scientific studies have found that exposure to PFAS chemicals may be linked to harmful health effects in both humans and animals.
A recent study by Arnika, IPEN, and 13 other organizations found harmful levels of PFAS chemicals, including some globally banned substances, in clothing purchased from thirteen countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Of the 72 clothing items tested, 64% were found to contain PFAS. In short, it's not that easy to find pfas free clothing.
What Clothing Materials Are PFAS Most Commonly Found In?
If you're trying to understand how to avoid PFAS in clothing, be on the lookout for apparel containing water or stain-resistant properties.
A 2022 report by Toxic-Free Future found that 72% of products labeled with any kind of water or stain resistant feature tested positive for PFAS. CBS News published an article in 2023 that detailed the presence of PFAS is rain jackets, hiking pants, shirts, yoga pants, and sports bras made by household brands.
Negative Health Effects of PFAS (Source: U.S. EPA)
- Increased risk of some cancers, including prostate, kidney, and testicular cancer
- Increased cholesterol levels and/or risk of obesity
- Reduced ability of the body's immune system to fight infections
- Low birth weight, accelerated puberty, bone variations, and behavioral changes
- Decreased fertility
- High blood pressure in pregnant women
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #3: Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is listed as a Cancer-Causing Substance by cancer.gov and is commonly used as a fungicide, germicide, disinfectant, and to extend the lifespan of certain fabrics. It's also used to improve wrinkle and crease resistance and help dyes and inks penetrate fabrics.
What To Know About Formaldehyde & What It Is
Formaldehyde is a colorless and strong smelling gas and according to National Library of Medicine, formaldehyde is one of the most commonly used chemicals in the world. It's found in clothing produced through both eco-friendly and conventional methods.
Remember, just because a brand is promoting sustainable or eco-friendly clothing or using more sustainable raw materials, doesn't mean their apparel is free of harmful toxins. While it's important to look at the raw materials used to produce the fibers, it's also important to understand what if any, chemicals were used during the manufacturing process of the fibers.
Formaldehyde exposure can cause skin, lung, and throat irritations and high levels of exposure is linked to cancer.
A good way to ensure you are limiting harmful toxins in the manufacturing process of textiles is to look for certifications like OKEO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, or Bluesign.
What Clothing Materials Is Formaldehyde Most Commonly Found In?
According to OECO Textiles, formaldehyde can be found in rayon, blended cotton, corduroy, wrinkle-resistant 100% cotton, and any synthetic blended polymer.
Negative Health Effects of Formaldehyde (Sources: U.S. EPA, National Cancer Institute)
- Skin, eyes, nose, and throat irritation
- Certain types of cancer including nasal cancer
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #4: Phthalates
According to the FDA, phthalates are a chemical compound used to make plastics more durable which is why they're often found in synthetic fabrics.
Phthalates are colorless, odorless, and oil liquids that do not permanently bind to the plastics they are applied to and can therefore rub off onto your skin or body.
What To Know About Phthalates & What It Is
Phthalates are used in many cosmetics, personal care products, and some textiles. They are known as phthalate esters (PAEs) and are a class of benzene derivatives made from phthalic acid and alcohol.
What Clothing Materials Are Phthalates Most Commonly Found In?
Phthalates are most commonly found in activewear made from synthetic fibers, anti-odor clothing, and are commonly used in printing inks to print images onto garments.
Negative Health Effects of Phthalates (Source: National Library of Medicine)
Exposure can lead to a number of negative health effects similar to the issues associated with BPA which include reproductive problems, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, and obesity.
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #5: Lead
According to the U.S. EPA, lead is a naturally occurring element found in small amounts in the earth's crust. It can be found in the earth's crust as well as in the air, soil, water, inside our homes, and in our clothes.
What To Know About Lead & What It Is
Most of us are likely aware that lead paint was banned by the federal government in 1978 despite some states having banned it earlier. While lead is a naturally occurring material, it has particularly harmful effects on children and adults, including pregnant women.
What Clothing Materials Is Lead Most Commonly Found In?
Textile manufactures often use lead to enhance and retain color when dying fabric.
It can be found in materials such as cotton, hemp, and flax as a result of the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
Furthermore, a study spanning 13 years by CEH found elevated levels of lead in more than 25% of fashion items purchased from specific off-price retailers in 2022 alone.
Negative Health Effects of Lead (Source: U.S. EPA)
- Behavior and learning problems in children
- Lower IQ and hyperactivity in children
- Slower growth
- Hearing problem
- Anemia
- Developmental issues when pregnant women are exposed
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Cardiovascular problems, increased blood pressure, and incidence of hypertension
- Decreased kidney function
- Reproductive problems
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #6: Azo Dyes
According to the National Library of Medicine, azo dyes are the most used dyes in textile manufacturing and account for more than 60% of total dyes. They are used widely in textile, printing, and paper manufacturing.
What To Know About Azo Dyes & What They Are
Azo dyes are a group of synthetic chemicals that are used in clothing manufacturing, specifically to dye fabric. Currently, there are over 2,000 different kinds of azo dyes.
They contain carcinogenic properties, are water soluble, and easily absorbed through the skin.
The EU first took steps to ban azo dyes in 2003 but due to their low cost and wide availability, they're still commonly used in textile manufacturing.
What Clothing Materials Are Azo Dyes Most Commonly Found In?
Azo dyes are commonly found in footwear, furniture, and textiles to dye natural and synthetic fabrics.
Brands that manufacture with dyes certified by Bluesign, who tests for azo dyes, provide an option as Bluesign prohibits the use of the most harmful azo dyes.
Furthermore, brands that have their apparel tested for these harmful toxins are an even better option.
Negative Health Effects of Azo Dyes (Source: National Library of Medicine)
- Increased risk of tumor development and cancer
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #7: Flame Retardants
It might make sense that petroleum based plastics are flammable.
Then consider that the vast majority of activewear on the market is made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, so how are textile manufacturers ensuring that these synthetic materials don't catch fire?
Enter flame retardants.
What To Know About Flame Retardants & What They Are
Flame retardants, chlorine, and bromine can be found in textiles and are known to be toxic to humans.
What Clothing Materials Are Flame Retardants Most Commonly Found In?
According to the State of Connecticut, flame retardants are often found in children's clothing.
The most common flame retardant chemicals contain elements like bromine and chlorine to extinguish a fire's energy before it can spread.
Similar to best practices with many of the other toxic chemicals discussed in this analysis, ensuring that your activewear is OKEO-TEX Standard 100 certified helps you avoid the presence of these toxins.
Negative Health Effects of Flame Retardants (Source: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)
- Endocrine and thyroid disruption
- Immunotoxicity
- Reproductive problems
- Cancer
- Adverse effects on fetal and child development and neurobehavioral function
Harmful Chemicals Found In Activewear #8: Glyphosate
According to the National Pesticide Information Center, glyphosate is a herbicide that is commonly used to kill both broadleaf plants and grasses.
What To Know About Glyphosate & What It Is
Glyphosate is commonly used to grow conventional cotton, and in 2015, the International Agency for Research on Cancer labeled it as a probable human carcinogen, but the U.S. EPA considers glyphosate as "not likely to be carcinogenic to humans" so there is some discrepancy to its toxicity.
It's worth noting that in the core tables compiles by the EPA, they relied mostly on unpublished regulatory studies and registrant-commissioned studies, of which 99% of studies were negative.
On the other hand, IARC relied mostly on peer reviewed studies, of which 70% were positive.
What Clothing Materials is Glyphosate Most Commonly Found In?
Glyphosate is most commonly found in clothing made from conventional cotton.
Negative Health Effects of Glyphosate (Source: National Library of Medicine)
- Problems with cell development
- Stunted neuron growth and myelination
- Behavioral and motor disorders
Understanding The Varying Degrees of Toxicity in Clothing
When comparing textile fibers, it's important to take into consideration a few key inputs.
- Production Process
- Lifecycle
- Healthy For The Earth vs Healthy For Your Skin & Body
First, you should look into the production process. This means the resources and pollution associated with the manufacturing of each specific material. What kinds of chemicals are used? What about toxic dyes? Is it a closed loop process? What are the environmental and health impacts of the production process?
Second, look at the overall lifecycle of each material from inception to the end of its useful life. If the fibers are plant based, were chemicals and pesticides used in growing them? Is the material biodegradable? Understanding the overall impact along every step of the material from "birth" to "death" is a good way to evaluate the impact of each material across its lifecycle.
Third is to understand the difference between healthy for the earth vs heathy for your skin. While a fabric like RPET, which is a sustainable recycled form of polyester or plastic, may be good for the environment, is it also good for your skin and body? In many cases, there are tradeoffs that consumers must make, but if you had the option to choose a sustainable and healthy material, why would you chose otherwise?
The Least Sustainable Fabrics
In short, synthetic fabrics are often the least sustainable by a long shot. We'll summarize these for you below but you can also read about both the least and most sustainable fabrics in more detail here.
Synthetic Fabrics
- Polyester
- Nylon (also known as polyamide)
- Acrylic
- Is acrylic toxic? Yes, clothing made from acrylic can expose you to harmful chemicals
- Rayon (also known as Viscose and is semi-synthetic)
Unsustainable Fabrics
The Most Sustainable Fabrics
Plant Based Fibers
- TENCEL™ Lyocell
- Organic Cotton
- Organic Hemp
- Organic Linen Fabric
Recycled Fabrics
- Recycled Cotton
- Recycled Polyester (RPET)
- Econyl Fabric
How To Easily Detox Your Wardrobe Today
While it may sound daunting to learn how many harmful toxins are in clothing that you wear everyday, we don't recommend throwing everything out all at once.
We'll walk you through an easy, three step process to build a plastic free wardrobe in a reasonable and sustainable manner.
Step 1: Assess Your Current Wardrobe
- Identify items most in need of repair
- Assess the materials these items of clothing are made of
- Identify current gaps and start there
Step 2: Replace Polyester Items Over Time
- Take inventory of what you have and where your biggest gaps are. Start there
Step 3: Treat Your Clothes As Life-Long Investments
- Investing in higher quality items that are made from plant-based fibers like TENCEL™ may seem like a larger up front cost compared to polyester, but adopting a minimalist mindset where you focus on quality over quantity will serve as a far better approach over the long term
Rome wasn't built in a day, so you don't need to go out and completely replace everything made from synthetic materials like polyester and nylon, but using the above mentioned steps is a good way to start.
We recommend natural fibers like TENCEL™ Lyocell over synthetic materials like polyester. If you'd like a more detailed analysis of the pros and cons of TENCEL™ vs polyester, check out our blog here.
The Value Of Sustainable Fashion Certifications
Another good way to steer clear of toxins in clothing is to choose products and brands with sustainability certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100, GOTS, and Bluesign.
Whether its pesticides used in growing plant-based fibers or chemicals used during the manufacturing process, coming into contact with these harmful chemicals is bad for your health.
These are issued by a third party and to become certified, brands must comply with stringent social and environmental standards and best practices.
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100
OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 is a third party independent certification issued by the Oeko-Tex Association located in Zurich, Switzerland that is issued and updated at least once per year.
OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 is a fairly well known certification that ensures that the certified textile is harmless to human health and that every thread, button, and accessory have been tested against over 1,000 harmful substances.
Silver Sea uses textiles certified under the OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 standard and the fabric mill that we source materials from here in the U.S.A. is also registered under this certification.
You can check the brands in your wardrobe easily through this free label checker.
GLOBAL ORGANIC TEXTILE STANDARD (GOTS)
The Global Textile Standard (GOTS) is a set of requirements for organic textiles intended to ensure that textiles are grown, harvested, manufactured, and labeled in an environmentally and socially responsible way. GOTS is located in Germany and the certification is issued and renewed annually.
GOTS is considered one of the leading textile certification standards for organic fibers and has a clearly defined and transparent set of criteria to eliminate toxic chemicals across the entire textile supply chain.
BLUESIGN
Clothing with a bluesign® PRODUCT or APPROVED label means that item has been manufactured according to strict safety and environmental standards. Based i Switzerland, bluesign® technologies is an independent third party that currently renews their certifications every three years.
Check out our sustainability page to learn more about our fabrics and the standards we've set in creating our toxin-free activewear.
Learn How To Identify Greenwashing vs True Sustainability
Many brands make an effort to appeal to the growing awareness among consumers when it comes to sustainability. As a result, many brands promote sustainability while doing little to actually practice it.
Remember, the vast majority of brands manufacture their apparel overseas in locations like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and China with the cheapest and most toxic textiles on the market. Wages in these locations can be as low as $0.30 per hour or lower!
So how do you spot brands that are trying to mislead consumers who genuinely care about sustainability?
- Look for where brands manufacture. This is a really good leading indicator
- Lookout for buzzwords like "eco-friendly" and "sustainability without providing explicit clarity on the materials they're using and where they're manufacturing their products
- Brands that make vague claims about their commitment to minimizing environmental and ethical harm with no data or certifications to support them are often intentionally vague for a reason - because they can't back up their claims!
- Avoid brands that create a "sustainable," "sustainable sportswear," "sustainable athletic wear," "sustainable workout clothing", or "sustainable workout clothes" collection but the majority of their items are still made with synthetic materials and manufactured overseas
- Inconsistent statements around working conditions or sustainability that contradict the reality that they're manufacturing overseas and using synthetic materials
- ***Be weary of fabric names you haven't heard of before in an effort to disguise the actual materials. For example, here's a list below:
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Nulu™ fabric (Lululemon's trademarked name for a blend of nylon and Lycra)
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Everlux™ fabric (Lululemon's trademarked name for a blend of nylon and Lycra)
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Luxtreme™ fabric (Lululemon's trademarked name for a blend of nylon and Lycra)
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Luon fabric (Lululemon's trademarked name for a blend of nylon and Lycra)
-
Nulux fabric (Lululemon's trademarked name for a blend of nylon and Lycra)
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Powervita™ fabric (Athleta's trademarked name for their blend of a Lycra based fabric)
The Benefit Of Choosing Plant-Based Natural Fibers
If you're looking for ways to identify the best non toxic workout clothes, a great way to limit harmful toxins in clothing is to choose natural plant-based performance materials.
Some of the most sustainable and healthy plant-based, toxin free fabrics to consider include:
TENCEL Lyocell
- TENCEL™ is derived from natural raw wood material and is produced from a resource-saving, closed loop production process
- TENCEL™ is a sustainable and plant-based fiber that is breathable, stretchy, biodegradable, naturally moisture-wicking, naturally resistant to odor-causing bacteria, and free of harmful chemicals
- TENCEL™ Lyocell is one of the best material for workout clothes, which is why we make our Lifestyle Sports Bra from it!
Learn more about the amazing benefits of TENCEL™ Lyocell compared to synthetic materials like polyester and the process behind creating the Lifestyle Sports Bra.
Organic Cotton
- Organic cotton is a much more sustainable version of its not so sustainable relative conventional cotton
- Organic cotton is not treated with harmful pesticides and chemicals during cultivation
- If GOTS certified, organic cotton is not treated with toxic chemicals during manufacturing
To summarize, plant-based fibers tend to be the most healthy option and are typically the best material for gym clothes.
Be Weary Of Toxic Clothing Brands
The vast majority of fashion brands create their apparel from a generic pattern design and make their clothing from synthetic materials that are both bad for the environment and your health in countries where wages are as low as a dozen cents per hour.
The negative impact of all this on the environment and human health is astounding. According to a study by global consulting firm McKinsey, apparel and footwear are responsible for between 4% and 9% of the world's global greenhouse gas footprint.
As we discussed earlier, many of the most popular activewear brands, who make all their clothing from synthetic materials and manufacture overseas, have been found to sell clothing containing harmful levels of BPA.
Here Are Some Tips To Avoid These Toxic Clothing Brands:
- Be weary of brands that release new collections weekly with heavily discounted or very cheap prices
- If brands don't mention how they reduce environmental impact, don't list the actual materials they're using or where they manufacture their clothing, odds are it's for a reason
- Brands that aren't transparent about their supply chain and sustainability practices are intentionally avoiding this topic because they don't want to focus on the negative impact they're having on the environment and human health
How Silver Sea Is Innovating To Provide Activewear That Is Both Sustainable And Healthy For Your Skin
If you're looking for non toxic athletic wear, workout clothes without PFAS, or workout clothes without BPA, you've come to the right place.
Silver Sea Apparel was founded in 2023 and we're focused on excelling in three core areas within performance apparel. Comfort, style, and sustainability.
Sustainability is a core focus of ours which is why we make our apparel from plant-based fibers that are free of all the harmful toxins associated with synthetic materials and plastics.
BPA In Clothing Related Questions
- How do I know if my clothes have BPA in them?
- Is there a BPA clothing brand?
- Is BPA in clothing dangerous?
- How to get rid of BPA in clothing
- Does polyester have BPA?
- Does polyester contain BPA?
- Does nylon have BPA?
- Does nylon contain BPA?
PFAS In Clothing Related Questions
- How do I know if my clothes have PFAS?
- Are PFAS in clothing harmful?
- Does nylon have PFAS?
- Does polyester have PFAS?
- Does polyester contain PFAS?
- Does nylon have PFAS?
- Does nylon contain PFAS?
- Can PFAS be absorbed through the skin?
MISC Toxins In Clothing Questions
- Is polyester safe to wear?
- Is nylon safe to wear?
- Is recycled polyester safe?
- Is RPET safe?
- Is RPET plastic safe?
- Is recycled polyester safe to wear?
- Why is polyester clothing toxic?
- What makes fabrics like polyester toxic?
- What makes fabrics like nylon toxic?
- How to get rid of toxins in clothes?
- Can chemicals in clothes be absorbed through the skin?
- Can chemicals be washed out of clothes?
- Is fabric dye on skin dangerous?
- What are the most sustainable clothing brands?
