Research on Toxicity in Fashion

This is a compilation of research on toxins found in clothing with my high-level thoughts noted below. Reach out with any questions!

• Toxic chemicals from microplastics can be absorbed through the skin: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/04/240419131901.htm#google_vignette

  • The majority of clothing (~60%) is made up of plastic-based fibers, which are also treated with chemical dyes and finishes that have toxic components, making these findings concerning

• Another example article of sweat leaching flame-retardant chemicals from microplastics

• Study: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.3c01894

• Associated news article: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/sweat-leaches-flame-retardant-chemicals-from-microplastics

• Polyester used as a male contraceptive: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/001078249290157O?via%3Dihub

  • Further studies are needed to confirm if this is specific to polyester or if other fabrics have this effect

• Toxicity of microplastics, notes that synthetic clothing is a source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10675727/

• Microplastics attach easily to known endocrine-disrupting chemicals https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34328888/

• Toxic component of dye running off fabric: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6133113/

• Disperse dyes are used on plastic-based fibers specifically, and can result in contact dermatitis: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/cod.12001

• Azobenzene disperse dyes "may function as immune sensitizers, and that clothing containing these dyes may pose risks for skin sensitization”: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37890762/

• Trace elements in clothing, such as from clothing dyes: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0040517516639816

• Nanosilver used as an anti-odor treatment (in activewear, for example) can be absorbed through the skin: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24004310/

• And then distributed throughout the body to various organs: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32235542/

• Environmental impacts of clothing dyes: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452072119300413

• Formaldehyde used in clothing production: https://www.mdpi.com/2305-6304/10/7/361

• Microplastics can be released into the environment from polyester sources:

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35408015/

  • https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32936800/

  • https://pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021/acs.est.1c03859

• News articles:

  • Chemical pollutants can change your skin bacteria and increase your eczema risk: https://theconversation.com/chemical-pollutants-can-change-your-skin-bacteria-and-increase-your-eczema-risk-new-research-explores-how-224847

  • Bioplastics as toxic as regular plastics: https://news.mongabay.com/2024/04/bioplastics-as-toxic-as-regular-plastics-both-need-regulation-say-researchers/

  • Do Your Workout Clothes Contain Endocrine-Disrupting Microplastics?: https://goop.com/wellness/health/do-your-workout-clothes-contain-endocrine-disrupting-microplastics/

  • Press release on BPA detected in activewear: https://ceh.org/latest/press-releases/new-testing-shows-high-levels-of-bpa-in-sports-bras-and-athletic-shirts/

    • Further research is needed to confirm BPA release from fibers into the human body upon wear