The Evidence Behind Synthetic Fibres Harming Human Health
This article rounds up the current evidence based, scientific findings surrounding chemical toxicity in synthetic fabrics and how they can effect human health.
Can Chemicals from Synthetic Textiles Reach the Body?
There is growing scientific evidence that certain chemicals, especially PFAS “forever chemicals”, can migrate out of synthetic fabrics and become bioavailable, particularly under sweat, heat, and friction.
While there are few controlled human trials that show a specific garment directly causes a rise in blood or urine chemical levels, the exposure pathway is biologically plausible - and lab, animal, and volunteer studies support it.
What the Studies Show
1. Lab-simulated studies
When textiles are exposed to simulated sweat, heat, and friction, chemicals like PFAS, BPA, dyes, and benzothiazole can migrate from the fabric into artificial sweat solutions.
Human-relevant skin models (3D skin equivalents) have shown that various PFAS compounds can permeate the skin barrier in these lab tests.
A recent University of Birmingham study using lab-grown human skin tissue demonstrated that up to 13.5% of PFOA and nearly 60% of certain short-chain PFAS were absorbed through skin within hours - challenging assumptions that PFAS exposure through skin is negligible.
2. Human volunteer evidence (small but real)
Wear trials have detected trace transfer of chemicals, such as dyes and finishes, from textiles to skin during normal use and sweating. How much transfers depends on fabric type, chemical, heat, contact time, and sweating patterns.
3. Biomonitoring confirms plastics and particles in humans
Studies have detected microplastics and polymer particles in human blood and placenta, indicating that fibres from synthetic clothing can enter the body and circulate systemically.
While these studies cannot pinpoint clothing as the only source of exposure, they confirm internal presence of synthetic materials.
4. Animal trials on polyester and reproductive hormones
In experimental studies, female dogs wore polyester underwear for up to 12 months and showed reduced progesterone levels and failed to conceive; hormone levels normalised and pregnancies occurred after the polyester was removed.
A separate trial with male dogs showed a significant drop in sperm count and increased abnormalities in those wearing polyester, some of which were not fully reversible.
5. Reviews recognise dermal uptake as credible
Scientific reviews in toxicology and exposure science describe dermal uptake of PFAS and related chemicals as a plausible route - though they also highlight that food and water are typically the dominant exposure sources, with clothing possibly adding to cumulative load.
What’s Still Uncertain
There are few controlled human studies that directly link wearing a specific garment to measurable changes in blood or urine chemical levels.
Real-world exposure depends on multiple variables: fabric chemistry, type of finish, body area covered, sweat level, temperature, wear duration, friction, and even washing and ageing.
We still need standardised test methods and longitudinal field studies that track how everyday wear contributes to chemical exposure.
Practical Takeaways
Choose untreated or certified low-toxicity textiles for areas in direct contact with the skin (look for GOTS, OEKO‑TEX®, bluesign).
Avoid PFAS-based finishes, such as stain- or water-resistant coatings, unless a brand clearly states they’re PFAS-free.
Wash new garments before first wear; avoid wearing them in high heat or abrasion when possible.
Rotate your clothing, and consider natural-fibre alternatives for performance wear (like merino, organic cotton, bamboo, TENCEL™, hemp).
Reduce microplastic exposure by using filtering laundry bags or external lint traps; air dry clothing or ensure proper venting.
References
Ferrer‑Uris B., et al. (2022). Dermal uptake and migration of textile chemicals: Current understanding and research gaps. AIMS Neuroscience, 9(2), 150–174.
Sunderland E. M., et al. (2019). A review of the pathways of human exposure to PFAS and associated health effects. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 29(2), 131–147.
Leslie H. A., et al. (2022). Discovery and quantification of plastic particles in human blood. Environment International, 163, 107199.
Ragusa A., et al. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 427.
Shafik A. (1993). Effect of different types of textile fabric on spermatogenesis. European Urology, 24(3), 375–380.
Shafik A. (1994). Effect of different types of textiles on sexual activity in rats. Eur J Obstet Gynecol, 56(1), 71–74.
Mamavation / Environmental Health News. (2022). PFAS testing in leggings and sports bras finds fluorine in high‑contact areas.
The Guardian. (2024). Toxic PFAS absorbed through skin at levels higher than previously thought.
Can Chemicals from Synthetic Textiles Reach the Body?
There is growing scientific evidence that certain chemicals, especially PFAS “forever chemicals”, can migrate out of synthetic fabrics and become bioavailable, particularly under sweat, heat, and friction.
While there are few controlled human trials that show a specific garment directly causes a rise in blood or urine chemical levels, the exposure pathway is biologically plausible - and lab, animal, and volunteer studies support it.
What the Studies Show
1. Lab-simulated studies
When textiles are exposed to simulated sweat, heat, and friction, chemicals like PFAS, BPA, dyes, and benzothiazole can migrate from the fabric into artificial sweat solutions.
Human-relevant skin models (3D skin equivalents) have shown that various PFAS compounds can permeate the skin barrier in these lab tests.
A recent University of Birmingham study using lab-grown human skin tissue demonstrated that up to 13.5% of PFOA and nearly 60% of certain short-chain PFAS were absorbed through skin within hours - challenging assumptions that PFAS exposure through skin is negligible.
2. Human volunteer evidence (small but real)
Wear trials have detected trace transfer of chemicals, such as dyes and finishes, from textiles to skin during normal use and sweating. How much transfers depends on fabric type, chemical, heat, contact time, and sweating patterns.
3. Biomonitoring confirms plastics and particles in humans
Studies have detected microplastics and polymer particles in human blood and placenta, indicating that fibres from synthetic clothing can enter the body and circulate systemically.
While these studies cannot pinpoint clothing as the only source of exposure, they confirm internal presence of synthetic materials.
4. Animal trials on polyester and reproductive hormones
In experimental studies, female dogs wore polyester underwear for up to 12 months and showed reduced progesterone levels and failed to conceive; hormone levels normalised and pregnancies occurred after the polyester was removed.
A separate trial with male dogs showed a significant drop in sperm count and increased abnormalities in those wearing polyester, some of which were not fully reversible.
5. Reviews recognise dermal uptake as credible
Scientific reviews in toxicology and exposure science describe dermal uptake of PFAS and related chemicals as a plausible route - though they also highlight that food and water are typically the dominant exposure sources, with clothing possibly adding to cumulative load.
What’s Still Uncertain
There are few controlled human studies that directly link wearing a specific garment to measurable changes in blood or urine chemical levels.
Real-world exposure depends on multiple variables: fabric chemistry, type of finish, body area covered, sweat level, temperature, wear duration, friction, and even washing and ageing.
We still need standardised test methods and longitudinal field studies that track how everyday wear contributes to chemical exposure.
Practical Takeaways
Choose untreated or certified low-toxicity textiles for areas in direct contact with the skin (look for GOTS, OEKO‑TEX®, bluesign).
Avoid PFAS-based finishes, such as stain- or water-resistant coatings, unless a brand clearly states they’re PFAS-free.
Wash new garments before first wear; avoid wearing them in high heat or abrasion when possible.
Rotate your clothing, and consider natural-fibre alternatives for performance wear (like merino, organic cotton, bamboo, TENCEL™, hemp).
Reduce microplastic exposure by using filtering laundry bags or external lint traps; air dry clothing or ensure proper venting.
References
Ferrer‑Uris B., et al. (2022). Dermal uptake and migration of textile chemicals: Current understanding and research gaps. AIMS Neuroscience, 9(2), 150–174.
Sunderland E. M., et al. (2019). A review of the pathways of human exposure to PFAS and associated health effects. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 29(2), 131–147.
Leslie H. A., et al. (2022). Discovery and quantification of plastic particles in human blood. Environment International, 163, 107199.
Ragusa A., et al. (2021). Plasticenta: First evidence of microplastics in human placenta. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(2), 427.
Shafik A. (1993). Effect of different types of textile fabric on spermatogenesis. European Urology, 24(3), 375–380.
Shafik A. (1994). Effect of different types of textiles on sexual activity in rats. Eur J Obstet Gynecol, 56(1), 71–74.
Mamavation / Environmental Health News. (2022). PFAS testing in leggings and sports bras finds fluorine in high‑contact areas.
The Guardian. (2024). Toxic PFAS absorbed through skin at levels higher than previously thought.
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