Most of us are aware that potentially harmful chemicals are found throughout the environment, including our air, soil, water, food, and cosmetic and household products. Recently, a team of researchers from the University of Southern Denmark even discovered evidence of the toxic compound PCB (banned in the US back in 1979) at the bottom of a deep sea trench – 8,000 meters below the surface.
It seems that harmful man-made chemicals are indeed found in almost every corner of this earth!
But one potential way of exposure to toxins that many of us don't think about is through our clothes. What do you have in your closet?
"Eternal chemicals" have been linked to troubling health issues found in popular clothing brands.
From academic to sports uniforms, raincoats to underwear, high fashion to “athletic leisure,” our country's clothing options could expose us and our children to harmful chemicals like perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS). Better known as “forever chemicals” because they don't break down well and can easily accumulate in humans and the environment, PFAS have been linked to a list of troubling health problems, including cancer, thyroid dysfunction, obesity, high blood pressure and dyslipidemia. We shouldn't be surprised to find PFAS in things like raincoats, since these “eternal chemicals” were originally intended for use in water-repellent clothing (as well as non-stick cookware, flame retardants, and more).
But everyday items like yoga pants and bras have also been found to be contaminated with these compounds. And now, people are noticing.
As reported by Children's Health Defense, a series of class action lawsuits have recently been filed against popular clothing brands for falsely advertising their products as sustainable and safe, despite containing PFAS. For example, Thinx recently paid $5 million to settle a lawsuit over the presence of harmful chemicals in their popular underwear (the company, however, continues to deny the allegations). Other brands known to produce clothing containing PFAS include Lululemon, LL Bean, Eddie Bauer, REI, Columbia Sportswear and Athleta.
Many of these companies have reportedly promised to phase out the use of these chemicals in the coming years. Is it time for a wardrobe update?
Here are some great clothing options to wear if you want to reduce your exposure to potentially harmful toxins.
Even if it's not in your budget right now to completely overhaul your wardrobe, you might want to upgrade at least some of your most-worn clothes if you're trying to reduce your exposure to harmful toxins. A good place to start would be your underwear, as these items are worn in close proximity to some of the most sensitive areas of your body. But shirts, pants, and outerwear are also great options.
With this in mind, here are some of the best natural materials to look out for in your future clothing purchases:
lan, cuna, phmm, withvilla, hemp, viscose.
When looking at your options, read the labels and item descriptions carefully. Ideally, you'll find products made from 100 percent natural materials that are organically and sustainably made. And don't forget to protect your clothes and yourself by choosing a high-quality (non-toxic) laundry detergent that will give you the clean you want without exposing you to even more harmful chemicals.
Written by: Sara Middleton, Editor | April 26, 2023, Eternal Chemicals in Clothing (NaturalHealth365)
Sources for this article include:
childrenshealthdefense.org
sciencedaily.com
NPR.org
EPA.gov
NIH.gov
WFTV.com
