“You are what you eat” is something that has been repeated to us all growing up. We were taught the food groups, how to read nutrition labels and much more. While food is an incredibly important aspect of health, we tend to only think about what we put in our bodies. However, it is also beneficial to think about what we put on our bodies. As plastic production has been on the rise, so has the use of synthetic fabrics in clothing. According to Edmond Climate, around 69% of clothing today is derived from petroleum, which is double the amount from 2000. If we don’t change current trends, 75% of clothing could be made of plastic in 2030. The rise in synthetic clothing is concerning not only for the environment, but for our own health, too. Therefore, we all must start looking at the fabric label on clothing, not just the price or brand name, because clothing quality comes from natural materials, and so does human health.
Synthetic clothing is harmful because it is treated with a mix of toxins such as flame retardants and forever chemicals. One major cause of concern is activewear as studies have found high levels of brominated flame retardants in its fabrics. These flame retardants have been linked to thyroid disease, hormonal issues and other negative health effects. Working out in synthetic clothing increases the negative effect of these substances, as sweat can help the chemicals leach from the plastic into our bodies.
Forever chemicals, also known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are also commonly found in clothing. According to the European Environment Agency, around 35% of PFA demand comes from the textile industry because PFAS have sought after qualities like water repellency. However, they build up in the environment and our bodies, and they have been linked to endocrine disruption, a weakened immune system and increased cancer risk.
Many other chemicals have been found in synthetic clothing, especially from fast fashion brands. In a study, a Shein children’s costume was found to have high levels of formaldehyde. Lead, phthalates and many other chemicals are among these. Simply put, synthetic clothing of all kinds, whether it is from an expensive activewear brand or a cheap fast fashion brand, could have been processed with very harmful chemicals.
Lastly, synthetic clothing is negative for human health because it sheds microplastics and nanoplastics. In fact, studies have linked these plastic particles to many health issues such as increased cancer risk, infertility, cardiovascular issues and more. These easily shed off synthetic clothing, especially when it is frequently washed.
Simply put, synthetic clothing is linked to harming human health because it increases the body’s exposure to many harmful chemicals and microplastics. Unfortunately, it is hard to fully avoid synthetic clothing. Activewear, for example, almost always has a blend of synthetic materials. However, as consumers, we can still make thoughtful decisions when shopping for clothing. For textiles like activewear that almost always utilize synthetics, look for products that are composed primarily of natural fibers, and only have a small percentage of synthetics for stretch. Additionally, look for third party certifications such as Oeko-Tex, which tests textiles for harmful substances. Of course, the best option of all is to choose 100% natural clothing. Whether it is linen, cotton, hemp, silk, wool, cashmere or another material, natural clothing is the best for your health. So next time you look at a piece of clothing, check out the fabric label to see if the material is really something you’d want to wear.
