Forever Chemicals In Your Closet? How PFAS May Be Harming Your Health
In the pursuit of performance, the fashion industry has quietly adopted a class of synthetic chemicals that offer stain resistance, water repellency and durability. But the price may be higher than advertised.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS, are increasingly found in clothing, from yoga leggings to hiking jackets and activewear. Dubbed "forever chemicals" because they don't naturally break down, PFAS persist in our environment and bodies, raising urgent questions about their long-term effect on human and planetary health and safety.
Initially developed in the mid-20th century, PFAS are now ubiquitous in consumer goods, including personal care products, nonstick cookware, food packaging and water-resistant fabrics. In the apparel industry, they're often applied as coatings to make clothes repel water, oil, and dirt, which is convenient for outdoor gear and athletic wear, but at an environmentally hidden expense.
According to a 2022 report by Toxic-Free Future, 72% of products labeled as water- or stain-resistant contained detectable levels of PFAS. These findings align with independent studies, such as one published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters, which found PFAS in multiple mainstream apparel brands, including some marketed as "green" or "eco-conscious."
While PFAS aren't absorbed through the skin as easily as they are ingested, research suggests that chronic, low-level exposure from clothing still contributes to a person's overall toxic burden. That's because PFAS can break down over time, entering the Air as dust, lingering on skin, and washing into water systems, where they accumulate in the environment and human tissue. Here's what the science shows:
Endocrine Disruption
Immune System Suppression
Increased Cancer Risk
Metabolic and Cardiovascular Effects
Reproductive and Developmental Toxicity
This growing body of evidence has prompted researchers to frame PFAS exposure not as an isolated risk, but as a chronic environmental stressor that interacts with other economic and sociocultural issues, including diet, air pollution and systemic health issues.
As scientific awareness grows, so does public pressure. U.S. states like California and New York are leading the way by implementing bans on intentionally added PFAS in textiles, beginning with outerwear and expanding into broader apparel categories. The European Union is considering a comprehensive ban on PFAS in all consumer goods under its REACH regulatory framework.
Still, industry resistance persists. Many apparel brands cite durability and supply chain complexity as reasons for the slow adoption of sustainable practices. Despite the highly complex nature of this worldwide topic, alternatives exist, including wax-based coatings, bio-based repellents, and PFAS-free membranes.
While systemic change is paramount, informed consumer choices remain a powerful force. Here's how to reduce PFAS exposure through your wardrobe:
The comfort of stain-free leggings or rainproof jackets might not be worth the cost to our long-term human and planetary health. As consumers, scientists and changemakers start to challenge the invisible risks woven into our clothes, the fashion industry faces a crucial inflection point: choose short-term performance or long-term responsibility.
Certainly, what we wear is about expression, but also exposure and a more profound commitment to our overall well-being.
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