When it comes to underwear the fabric we wear closest to our skin can provide us with a healthier lifestyle for our bodies, Synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon can contain harmful chemicals such as BPA and PFAS, these chemicals can leach out of the material and come into contact with the skin, increasing the risk of exposure.
BPA is a ‘well-studied’ chemical that has been linked to a number of health problems, including hormonal imbalances, reproductive issues, and to hinder metabolisms. Last year a group of 11 major fashion brands were accused of using excessive levels of bisphenol A (BPA) in their products, but the US Centre for Environmental Health (CEH) This included Athleta, Asics, The North Face, Nike and Fila, all of whole were found to have up to 22x the safe limit of the chemical in their sports bra products. These items are what we wear closest to our skin and when we're doing the most exercise and so the pores on our skin are at their most open.
"Studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed through skin and end up in the bloodstream after handling receipt paper for seconds or a few minutes at a time. Sports bras and athletic shirts are worn for hours at a time, and you are meant to sweat in them, so it is concerning to be finding such high levels of BPA in our clothing."Kaya Allan Sugerman, illegal toxic threats program director at CEH.
And it’s not just underwear or clothing in May last year 60% of children’s textiles labelled “waterproof”, “stain-resistant”, or “environmentally friendly contained PFA chemicals. PFAS, or per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, are a class of more than 9,000 compounds typically used across dozens of industries to make products water-, stain- or heat-resistant.
These chemicals pose a problem as they are linked to cancer, birth defects, liver disease, thyroid disease, decreased immunity, hormone disruption and a range of other serious health problems. They’re dubbed “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down, and they accumulate in humans. Worryingly 21 of the 97 items tested were labelled with tags such as “eco”, “green” or “non-toxic”.
So why are still using these chemical products with the scientific knowledge that is out there? It’s arguably a lifestyle change that is needed - no more ‘stain-resistant’ products or waterproofings. Are these features nice to have as opposed to a necessity? Can we live without them?
Our skin is our largest organ and underwear is the most intimate item we wear closest to us. We chose to REMOVE PLASTICS from our underwear, our fabric is proudly made from a blend of recycled cotton, organic cotton and a biodegradable elastic.
No toxins in our fabric mean no toxins next to you and your skin.
You can find more information on PFA's from Consumernotice.org here
