It is no exaggeration to say that your clothing made from synthetic fibers, which originate from oilit can be very bad for your health. Many fabrics, such as polyester, nylon, polypropylene, acrylic, lycra and even viscose – considered semi-synthetic due to chemical processing – have not passed safety tests. They contain levels of chemical agents above those considered safe for human health. These agents can act as endocrine disruptors, causing infertility, obesity and even cancer.
These chemicals are present in sportswear, underwear, children’s clothing, uniforms, socks and bags. Although these clothes are stretchy, water-resistant and sweat-absorbent, these characteristics do not make them almost 70% of all clothing produced in the world today is synthetic. Companies choose to produce plastic clothing because it is cheaper than natural fabrics.
And give it to her fast fashion is to produce more and sell more.
The consequence is that 35% of microplastics present in the oceans come from washing clothes. As we are in constant interaction with the environment, plastic pollution affects us directly – these microplastics are absorbed by the skin when in contact with sweat.
In Brazil, Anvisa imposes restrictions on the use of BPA in items such as baby bottles, but there are no discussions about its presence in clothing
In 2021 in Canada, experts collected clothing and accessories from major retailers and found that one in five items had elevated levels of chemicals, including lead, PFAS and phthalates. “I am alarmed, what we are doing is looking for short-lived pleasure in items of clothing that cost both our health and the environment. This cost is not worth it”, declared Miriam Diamond, environmental chemist and professor at the University of Toronto.
In 2021, in Canada, experts collected 38 samples of clothing and accessories from major retailers and discovered that one in five pieces had high levels of chemicalssuch as lead, PFAS and phthalates. “I am alarmed. We are seeking short-lived pleasure in expensive clothing items, both for our health and the environment. This cost is not worth it”, declared Miriam Diamond, environmental chemist and professor at the University of Toronto.
Other reportfrom the United States National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, has linked PFAS exposure to cancer, thyroid dysfunction, changes in birth weight, and high cholesterol, among other concerns. In 2023, the same chemical compound again attracted attention in a new collection of clothing samples, this time in underwear, school uniforms and raincoats.
Used in non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing and firefighting foams, PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in products and the environment without breaking down. These chemicals can build up in our bodies over time. Researchers stated that PFAS are present in the blood of almost all american.
In 2022, the Center for Environmental Health (CEH) launched a note indicating that major brand sportswear was exposing individuals to bisphenol A (BPA) at levels 22 times higher than permitted by California law. BPA is an endocrine disruptor that can interfere with bodily functions such as metabolism, growth and reproduction.
Most recently, the CEH entered into a legal agreement with 30 companies to remove BPA from socks. The organization spent three years taking action against 100 companies, and the positive response from 30% of them was already considered significant progress.
This year, Shein, one of the world’s leading ultra fast fashion brands, also was caught in toxicity tests carried out by the South Korean government. The case drew attention because it involved chemicals in children’s clothing – a pair of shoes, for example, contained 428 times the permitted amount of toxic substances. Several products showed elevated levels of phthalates, a group of chemicals used to soften plastics.
In the body, phthalates can cause hormonal disruption and are linked to obesity, heart disease, cancer and fertility problems. A month before the case was exposed, the European Union named it in the group of companies that are “large enough to be subject to more stringent security rules”.
Phthalates can cause hormonal disruption and are linked to obesity, heart disease, cancer and fertility problems. A month before the exposure of this case, the European Unionhad already placed Shein in the group of companies “large enough to be subject to more stringent security rules”.
How can we depend less on oil?
The decarbonization of the fashion sector is essential. To do this, it is necessary to first admit the sector’s dependence on the use of fossil fuels and plastic – which goes beyond polyester clothing –, disinvesting in these sources, while promoting more sustainable ones.
A special edition of Fashion Revolution Global’s annual transparency report will address brands’ transparency regarding climate and energy data in their operations and production network. An excerpt highlights: “At least 90% of brands’ emissions are produced in scope 3. This covers processes such as fiber production, dyeing and finishing, and transformation of raw materials into fabric. All of these processes consume a lot of energy, require a lot of fossil fuels and produce huge amounts of emissions.”
The transition away from oil requires structural changes, including greater transparency, changes in consumer and business habits and, of course, new laws. In Brazil, this issue is practically ignored: Anvisa imposes restrictions on the use of BPA in items such as baby bottles, but there are no discussions about its presence in clothing. Meanwhile, fast fashion companies continue to sell tops for $5 and sneakers for less than $10, poisoning both us and the environment.
