Per- and polyfluoroalkualkyl substances. PFAS. They’re everywhere. In our tap water. Food wrappers. Nonstick pans. That raincoat you wore once in 2019.
We call them “forever chemicals” for a reason. They don’t break down. Ever. And the Environmental Protection Agency links them to higher cancer risks and immune system messiness. You get it. You want to avoid them.
But what about your gym clothes?
Lululemon is now under investigation. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxron dropped a Civil Investigative Demand on them. Essentially a subpoena. He suspects PFAS in their gear. Lululemon denies it. Flat out.
So here’s the situation. I’m sitting in a sports bra. Do I panic? Probably not.
The Investigation
Paxton issued this demand in April. His office cites “consumer concerns.” Also emerging research. Hard to pin down exactly what started this, beyond the general war against PFAS and microplastics. California and New York have already banned intentional PFAS in clothes. Texas is catching up.
Lululemon pushes back hard. A spokesperson told Women’s Health : “Lululemon does use PFAS in its products.” Wait. That’s a typo in their press release. They meant does not.
“The health and safety of our hosts is paramount,” they say. “Our products meet global safety standards.”
They claim strict chemical management. Third-party testing. Vendor compliance. All the corporate right answers.
Why Are They In There?
PFAS makes things waterproof. Stain-resistant. Smooth. Kelly Johnson-Arbor MD a toxicologist at Medstar Health confirms this.
Lululemon actually used to use PFAS. Two years ago they phased them out. Two years is a blink in manufacturing time.
Supply chains are messy. Factories in Vietnam and China often pack production tight. Dr Johnson-Arbor notes cross-contamination is likely. Think about peanut allergies in a candy factory. You buy a peanut-free bar? The machine touched peanuts. Warning label required.
Clothes don’t get that warning. But the risk exists.
Also: your leggings are plastic. Nylon. Polyester. Lycra. Unnatural chemicals love bonding with PFAS. If a neighbor factory dumps waste your batch might get tagged along. Unintentional. Unavoidable at scale.
Dr. Jamie Alan PhD at Michigan State University agrees. Old stock floats around. Thrift stores are minefields. Verifying every pair of black yoga pants is pristine? Impossible. Even with testing.
Will It Hurt You?
Your skin is tough. It blocks most stuff.
“Absorption through the skin isn’t a major exposure route,” Dr. Johnson-Arboar says. Water and food are the real entry points. Swallowing PFAS is worse than wearing it.
Wear your leggings twice a week? Relax. No harm.
Work out every day in sweat-soaked synthetics? Maybe look closer. Sweat opens pores. Warm skin absorbs more. Still pales compared to drinking contaminated water. But worth noting.
Want to play it safe? Buy cotton. Cotton breathes. Cotton lacks microplastics. Avoid ripped fabric though. Damaged coatings flake. That’s how chemicals get on you.
The bigger danger? The planet. Landfills leak. Water tables drop. It’s an ecosystem problem first a health one.
What Actually Matters
Risk is cumulative. Not immediate.
Dr. Alan has advice. Don’t burn your closet.
1. Filter Your Water
45% of US tap water has PFAS. That’s not a rumor. USGS data backs it up. If you drink from the faucet you are getting them. Check EPA guidelines. Buy a proper filter. Not the charcoal stick in the pitcher.
2. Ditch the Teflon
Nonstick pans shed when scratched. PFAS leeches into your scrambled eggs. Dr. Johnson-Arbookar warns against keeping damaged pans. Switch to stainless steel. Cast iron. Ceramic. Copper. Old school tools work.
3. Check Your Makeup
Foundation often uses PFAS for shine. Waterproof mascara? Yeah that’s them too. Even packaging has traces. Read labels. Look for these names:
* Polytetrafluoroethylene
* Perfluorononyl dimetcone
* Methyl perfluorobutly ether
Buy brands that promise no PFAS. It helps.
4. Try Natural Fibers
Next time you shop look for hemp. Merino wool. Organic cotton. Less plastic means fewer forever chemicals. Not urgent. Not a panic buy. Just a smarter choice.
This isn’t an apocalypse. Just information. Use it wisely. 🧘♀️
