Polyester is everywhere, woven into the very fabric of our daily lives.
We sweat in it, rely on it for support, and wrap ourselves in it each night. But here’s the question that keeps me up at night, not as a scientist, but as someone who’s watched too many loved ones battle breast cancer:
Are we gambling with our health every time we slip on polyester?
I’m Michael Drescher, founder of Vibrant Body Company. The truth is, polyester isn’t just a cheap, durable, “eco-friendly” miracle. Beneath the marketing lies a mounting body of evidence connecting polyester to hormone disruption, chronic inflammation, and even cancer.
Many polyester clothes release microplastics with every wash, contaminating our food and water, and ultimately finding their way into our bodies.
This isn’t just about comfort. It’s about risk. It’s about demanding answers and safer alternatives for the clothes we trust with our bodies, every single day. I know, I don’t wear a bra, but I worry about you when you do. That’s why we do what we do at Vibrant.
Let’s learn more about Polyester.
Key Points
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Polyester is plastic, cleverly disguised as fabric. Made from the same petroleum-based polymer as water bottles, polyester is often treated with a cocktail of chemicals like BPA, PFAS, and formaldehyde.
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Polyester hasn’t been proven to cause cancer, but the early science is unsettling. Studies have shown that chemicals used in polyester manufacturing can damage DNA, disrupt estrogen receptors, and alter tumor-suppressing proteins in human breast cells.
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"Green" doesn’t always mean "clean." Many consumers think recycled polyester is a safe, eco-friendly choice, but it's often laced with residues like BPA and heavy metals.
What Is Polyester, and Why Is It Everywhere?
I used to think polyester was just another fabric, until I learned it’s made from the same plastic as water bottles. PET, a petroleum-based polymer, turned into leggings and bras.
We’ve banned BPA in baby bottles, but we still wear it on our skin. Every. Single. Day.
A Plastic Disguised as Fabric
Most people think of polyester as “just fabric”, but it’s not. It’s plastic.
Specifically, it’s polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the same base material used in plastic water bottles and food containers. Polyester is made from petrochemicals, a byproduct of the petroleum industry, which means it’s non-renewable and heavily industrialized from the start.
This synthetic polymer doesn’t just dominate closets. It dominates the entire textile market.
Over half of all textiles produced globally are polyester-based. That’s because it’s cheap to make, easy to mass-produce, and durable enough to survive hundreds of spin cycles. However, the same qualities that make polyester convenient also make it complicated, especially regarding health.
Why It’s So Popular (And Problematic)
Polyester isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s wrinkle-resistant, moisture-wicking, and stretch-friendly. It’s in our sports bras, yoga pants, underwear, socks, and baby clothes.
From an industry perspective, it’s a dream fabric. But from a human health perspective?
That’s where things start to unravel.
Because polyester is engineered, not grown, it often comes coated in chemicals, antimicrobials, flame retardants, stain repellents, and softeners, many of which are linked to serious health concerns. When you combine this chemical cocktail with direct skin contact, heat, and sweat, the risks increase.
The result isn’t just skin irritation. It’s potential hormone disruption, inflammation, and more.
Does Polyester Cause Cancer? Here’s What the Research Says
Scientists haven’t stamped polyester with a cancer label yet.
But the red flags are stacking up like receipts. Linked to DNA disruption, hormone interference, carcinogenic additives, polyester may not be guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, but it’s looking a lot like a suspect worth keeping your distance from.
No Direct Causal Proof, But Plenty of Red Flags
Let’s be clear.
There’s no headline-making study yet that says wearing a polyester T-shirt will give you cancer. But that doesn’t mean the fabric is harmless.
Research on textile workers exposed to polyester dust daily found increased rates of gastric cancer. Another study observed that terephthalic acid (TPA), a key building block of polyester, can cause DNA damage in human breast cells.
That doesn’t mean your favorite workout top is toxic overnight, but it does mean we need to pay closer attention to what we’re putting directly on our bodies every single day.
Cancer-Linked Chemicals in Polyester
What worries me even more than the fabric itself are the chemicals hiding inside it. Let’s break a few down:
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BPA – Often found in recycled polyester. BPA is a well-known endocrine disruptor linked to breast and prostate cancer. Some sports bras have tested with BPA levels 22 times over California’s safety threshold.
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Antimony Trioxide – A common catalyst in polyester manufacturing, this heavy metal is considered a possible human carcinogen. It doesn’t just stay in factories, it can linger in finished garments.
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PFAS – These “forever chemicals” are added to many polyester-based performance clothes for their stain resistance. But PFAS don’t break down, they build up in the body, and are linked to cancer, infertility, and immune dysfunction.
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Azo Dyes – Used in vibrant colors and patterns, these dyes can break down into aromatic amines, carcinogenic compounds banned in the EU but still found in some U.S. garments, including bras and underwear.
Terephthalic Acid (TPA) – Recent studies show that TPA can alter DNA repair functions in healthy breast cells.
Photo Source -> Keck School of Medicine at USC
Polyester and Breast Cancer? What One Study Showed
As someone deeply invested in women’s wellness, I found this especially alarming: A peer-reviewed study exposed non-cancerous human breast cells to TPA and found early signs of DNA damage, changes in tumor-suppressing proteins, and disruptions to estrogen receptor balance.
These aren’t just biochemical quirks, they’re hallmarks of early carcinogenesis.
And where do many women wear polyester most often? On their breasts. In bras. During exercise. During sleep. During life.
Other Hidden Health Risks of Polyester
Polyester might feel harmless, but the body often sees it differently.
Its synthetic nature can quietly stir up stress beneath the surface, irritating systems meant to protect us. Over time, that low-level strain can add up, nudging our health in directions we’d rather avoid.
Chronic Inflammation & Immune System Stress
Polyester doesn’t just sit quietly on the surface of your skin. It sheds. Every time you wear it. Every time you wash it.
Microscopic plastic fibers break off and float into the air, settle into your lungs, or get rinsed down the drain, only to end up in your food, water, and bloodstream.
Research shows microplastics can trigger oxidative stress and inflammation, which can overwhelm the immune system and potentially increase the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.
Our bodies weren’t designed to process synthetic plastic particles.
Yet every day, we absorb more than we realize, through our skin, our breath, and our digestion.
Hormone Disruption & Reproductive Risks
What’s often missed in the mainstream conversation is just how potent the hormonal impact of polyester-linked chemicals can be.
BPA and phthalates, both found in certain polyester blends, are what scientists call endocrine disruptors. They mimic estrogen, confuse hormonal signaling, and are implicated in everything from reduced fertility to early puberty to breast and prostate cancers.
Formaldehyde, another chemical used in wrinkle-free polyester garments, has also been linked to hormone disruption and even DNA damage.
And when these garments are worn tight against warm, sweaty skin the absorption rate only goes up.
Allergic Reactions and Skin Conditions
Let’s talk about something more immediate, what polyester can do to your skin.
Many women experience irritation, rashes, or eczema flare-ups from polyester clothing, especially in high-friction areas. This isn’t just “sensitive skin.” It’s a response to textile finishes, dyes, and chemical coatings baked into the fabric.
And if you’ve ever wondered why your favorite “performance” bra makes you itchy, it might be the antimicrobials or flame-retardants still lingering in the weave.
When I first began learning about this, I couldn’t believe how little regulation existed. I thought, surely someone’s watching out for what goes on our skin all day. But the truth is they’re not.
What People Are Asking (That No One’s Answering)
We live in a world where people are asking better, smarter questions about what they wear. And yet, when it comes to polyester, the answers are either buried in dense science or missing altogether. So let’s talk plainly.
“If BPA is banned in bottles, why is it still in clothing?”
That’s the question that stopped me in my tracks.
We’ve banned BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, and food packaging, because we know it can interfere with hormones and increase cancer risk. Yet recycled polyester, often made from plastic bottles, can still carry BPA into our clothing, especially sports bras and leggings.
Photo Source -> University of Southern California
The textile industry operates under a completely different set of regulations. Or more accurately, a lack of them.
“Is recycled polyester safer?”
Unfortunately, no.
The idea that recycled = safe is one of the most dangerous forms of greenwashing out there. Recycled polyester (rPET) still sheds microplastics and can contain residues of BPA, antimony, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
In some cases, it's less stable, breaking down faster under heat and friction,which means more toxins released, not fewer.
“Can washing polyester enough times make it safer?”
Washing doesn’t remove embedded chemicals, it can actually make things worse.
Every wash sheds more microfibers, some of which are inhaled or ingested. And if you're drying polyester on high heat, that warmth can trigger outgassing, where volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released into your air and lungs.
Women Are Worried, Here’s What They’re Saying
Over the years, I’ve had hundreds of conversations with women who were told they were “overreacting” about their clothing choices. But here’s the truth. Their concerns aren’t irrational, they’re informed. And they’re worth listening to.
“I Wear Polyester Every Day, Should I Be Scared?”
Let’s not fuel fear. This isn’t about panic, it’s about patterns. Wearing a polyester T-shirt once isn’t the same as wearing a polyester bra 12 hours a day, seven days a week, pressed against the most porous part of your body.
The real concern comes from chronic, intimate exposure,especially when heat, sweat, and friction are involved.
So no, you don’t need to throw out your whole closet. But yes, it’s worth rethinking what you wear the most, closest to your skin.
“I Thought My Sports Bra Was Eco-Friendly… Until I Saw It Has Pfas.”
This is one of the most heartbreaking realizations I see over and over again.
A woman thinks she’s making a good choice, buying recycled, “sustainable” polyester gear from a well-known brand, only to discover that same gear tested positive for PFAS.
These forever chemicals accumulate in our bodies, resist breakdown, and have been linked to cancer, immune dysfunction, and reproductive harm.
“I Can’t Believe This Stuff Isn’t Regulated In The U.S.”
That disbelief is justified.
The U.S. currently bans only about 40 textile chemicals. Compare that to over 1,000 banned in the European Union. That gap allows toxic substances, azo dyes, phthalates, formaldehyde, and PFAS, to remain in circulation, especially in garments sold to U.S. consumers.
4 Quick Ways to Detox Your Wardrobe
If you’re like most people reading this, you’ve got a closet full of polyester right now. Don’t worry, I’m not here to tell you to trash it all. This isn’t about perfection. It’s about making smarter, informed swaps,especially where it counts most.
1. Look for Certifications Like OEKO-TEX®
The fastest way to cut through greenwashing is by looking for verified safety. OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tests for over 100 harmful substances in every thread, dye, and label. If it’s not certified, assume it hasn’t been tested.
2. Replace Your First Layer™ First
Focus on the garments that spend the most time on the most vulnerable areas of your body, bras, underwear, and socks. These areas have thinner, more absorbent skin and often trap heat and moisture, increasing chemical absorption. It’s why we built Vibrant’s Certified Clean™ collection around these pieces first.
3. Skip the Dryer, Especially on High Heat
High temperatures can increase the release of toxic compounds from polyester. Air-drying synthetic items limits this risk.
4. Don’t Sleep in Synthetics
Eight hours in polyester pajamas or sheets gives toxins a long, uninterrupted runway into your system. Swap in OEKO-TEX®-certified sleepwear for better rest, and peace of mind.
What to Do With Old Polyester Clothes
Not ready to part with everything? That’s okay.
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Donate gently used items so they stay in circulation.
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Upcycle into non-body-contact uses like tote bags or cleaning cloths.
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Replace slowly but intentionally, starting with activewear, bras, and underwear, the high-friction, high-absorption zones.
Remember, this isn’t about doing everything overnight. It’s about doing the next right thing, for your body, your health, and your future.
What to Wear Instead (Without Sacrificing Comfort or Performance)
You don’t have to choose between health and functionality. You can have stretch, support, softness and safety, if you know where to look. That’s why I started Vibrant Body Company.
The Rise of Certified Clean™
For too long, "clean fashion" has been a buzzword without teeth. Words like natural, eco, or organic are tossed around without accountability. That’s why we leaned into Certified Clean™, a standard rooted in science, not marketing.
Every product we make at Vibrant is third-party verified by OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, one of the world’s most trusted certifications for textile safety. That means every stitch, thread, dye, and trim is tested for over 100 harmful substances, including:
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BPA and phthalates
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Formaldehyde
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PFAS and heavy metals
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Azo dyes and pesticide residues
Not just in the fabric itself, but in the final finished garment.
It’s not just cleaner. It’s accountable. It’s transparent.
Ready for a Certified Clean™ Closet?
Explore Vibrant’s line of intimates and activewear that puts your body first.
✨ Discover The Everywhere Bra, the wireless bra that offers real support.
🩷 Shop Certified Clean Underwear that respects your skin.
💧 Browse Sweat Smart collection, so you can play hard and stay clean. No compromise.
Meet Michael Drescher, founder of Vibrant Body Company.
An unlikely messenger in women’s health, he’s speaking truths the industry has long buried beneath sleek silhouettes at the expense of women’s health. After losing loved ones to cancer, he uncovered the toxic reality of intimate apparel and set out to create a truly health-first alternative. Michael’s work challenges assumptions about who gets to lead wellness conversations, blending radical transparency with science-backed design. He started Vibrant to rewrite the standard, because comfort shouldn’t come with a chemical cost, and health should never be an afterthought.
