Are you in search of safe activewear such as workout leggings and yoga pants? Whether you wear your activewear for relaxation or intense workouts at the gym, we’re not here to judge. What we are evaluating, however, are the 32 workout legging and yoga pant brands that we had tested for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a harmful class of chemicals known to cause serious health issues.
Mamavation conducted a study ranking 32 pairs of activewear, including workout leggings and yoga pants, based on PFAS “forever chemicals” and we are revealing the results in this report, shedding light on popular brands such as LulaRoe, Athleta, and Lululemon.
You’ve counted on Mamavation to provide information on topics like PFAS-free green beauty makeup brands, cookware, and organic mattresses, now join us for our investigation into women’s activewear, specifically workout leggings and yoga pants. Keep reading till the end to view the raw data from all the brands we examined.
This post was reviewed by Pete Myers, Chief Scientist at Environmental Health Sciences, Adjunct Professor of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University, and Scott Belcher, Research Scientist at the Center for Environmental and Health Effects of PFAS at North Carolina State University. Medical review was done by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. Donations were contributed by Environmental Health News and Mamavation community members. It’s important to note that our study was a spot-check and we cannot make predictions about brands and products we did not test.
The athletic apparel industry has long used PFAS and other toxic chemicals to provide properties like sweat-wicking, stain resistance, and water resistance to high-performance clothing. These chemicals are present in a variety of activewear materials from polyester to cotton, affecting sizes from xxs to xxl and beyond.
Our study found that 25% of the activewear we tested had detectable levels of PFAS, with levels ranging from 10 to 284 parts per million of organic fluorine. This tells us that many brands can produce leggings without the need for PFAS, making it unnecessary in women’s leggings. The health risks associated with PFAS exposure are alarming, including effects on immunity, metabolism, cardiovascular health, and fertility.
For a detailed breakdown of the results from each brand, refer to the lab results shared at the end of this article. Remember that PFAS exposure can lead to severe health consequences, and if you suspect exposure, consult the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry for guidance. As regulatory authorities struggle to keep up, it is recommended to limit daily exposure to PFAS in consumer products. When purchasing nontoxic activewear and aiming to avoid PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’, consider the following guidelines:
After finding that 25% of the activewear tested by Mamavation showed signs of PFAS, it is important to be cautious when selecting high-quality activewear and athleisure loungewear. Your activewear is a crucial part of your workout gear, so here are some tips for choosing the best workout leggings and yoga pants:
– Workout leggings: Many high-impact workout leggings are made of synthetic materials like polyester, spandex, and nylon, which are derived from petrochemicals. While not all synthetic pants tested positive for PFAS, it is important to pay attention to the lab results. Opt for natural materials like cotton for low-impact activities to reduce the risk of exposure to PFAS. Look for workout leggings that offer comfort, versatility, and durability while minimizing the use of toxic materials.
– Yoga pants and leisure leggings: When selecting yoga pants or leisure leggings, choose safe options. Be wary of synthetic materials marketed as “buttery soft,” as they may contain high levels of PFAS. Stick to natural fabrics like cotton for low-impact activities to lower the risk of PFAS exposure.
While there are currently no laws specifically protecting consumers from PFAS in clothing, some states are taking steps to regulate the use of these chemicals. Organizations like Toxic-Free Future are advocating for safer practices in the textile industry, and retailers like Target are making strides to eliminate dangerous chemicals from their products.
PFAS contamination in activewear can occur through treatments for stain or water resistance, lubrication on manufacturing equipment, and clean-out chemicals used in production. It is important to be aware of these potential sources of contamination when selecting activewear.
Mamavation’s consumer study on women’s activewear found detectable levels of organic fluorine, indicating the presence of PFAS, in the crotch area of tested garments. Organic fluorine testing can be a useful tool in identifying PFAS in clothing. Standardized testing for PFAS in textiles is currently unavailable, resulting in various methods being used for detection. One effective method is looking for the presence of organic fluorine, which indicates the presence of PFAS compounds. However, only 150 out of over 9,000 PFAS compounds can be identified in a university lab, emphasizing the importance of using organic fluorine detection for a broader perspective.
To determine which activewear brands to test, information was collected from the Mamavation community regarding the brands they wore between June and December 2021. The products were obtained from popular retailers such as Amazon.com, Target, Nordstrom, or the brands’ own websites and sent unopened to a third-party laboratory for testing.
Each activewear item was tested for total fluorine, with additional testing conducted if fluorine was detected to determine organic fluorine levels. The testing method involved ion-selective electrode and oxygen flask combustion with a detection limit of 10 parts per million (ppm). Some products that tested as 0 ppm may have had levels below the detection limit of 10 ppm.
Recent updates have expanded the consumer study to include more products. The activewear brands that were found to contain organic fluorine levels above 10 ppm were listed as not recommended. On the other hand, brands with non-detectable levels of fluorine were categorized as better or best activewear options.
The best activewear brands not only had non-detectable levels of fluorine but also utilized fabrics from sustainable farming practices, such as GOTS organic cotton. Discounts were negotiated with some brands for consumers to make eco-friendly purchases. The Mamavation community has been actively involved in ongoing projects to identify PFAS chemicals in various consumer products. Por eso hemos decidido encargar nuestros propios estudios de consumo sobre las indicaciones de PFAS en diferentes categorías de consumidores y compartir esa información contigo.
Si estás aquí para averiguar qué leggings de ejercicio están libres de PFAS detectables, también puedes estar interesado en nuestros otros estudios similares.
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Acerca del autor
Leah Segedie es la Presidenta y Fundadora de Mamavation.com. Mamavation produce contenido galardonado y estudios de consumidores independientes que examinan la intersección de productos cotidianos que contienen químicos disruptores endocrinos (EDCs) y que se introducen en los hogares estadounidenses. Muchos la han llamado “la verdadera FDA”.
Desde 2008, Mamavation ha estado ayudando a las mamás de todos los días a navegar por el supermercado encargando estudios de consumidores sobre alimentos, bebidas, productos de cuidado personal y otros productos similares, democratizando así la ciencia y las pruebas para todos.