On your next flight, take a moment to consider the uniforms the attendants wear. Sure, they may look great but do they know what’s in them?
If it’s on you, it’s in you.
This goes for all of us, but especially for those of us that wear uniforms.
In 2011, flight attendants at a major airline started getting sick, really sick. Rashes that blistered. Eyes swollen shut. Chronic fatigue, brain fog, migraines.
Uniforms, of all things, were the suspected culprit. When tested, those garments were found to contain lead, arsenic, toluene, and a cocktail of industrial chemicals banned in other countries.
The uniforms looked sleek. Performance-ready. But they were toxic.
Fast fashion, cheap clothing made quickly to meet demand, has a reputation for being wasteful. But it’s time we talk about something bigger:
It isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s a health hazard.
Key Points
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Fast fashion garments often contain a toxic brew of PFAS, formaldehyde, phthalates, azo dyes, and heavy metals. These chemicals are environmental pollutants and health disruptors that can enter your bloodstream through your skin, especially when you sweat.
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American regulations aren’t protecting you. While the EU bans over 1,500 chemicals in clothing, the U.S. bans just 40. That gap means many garments sold in America could contain substances considered too dangerous to wear elsewhere.
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"Sustainable" doesn’t always mean safe. Labels like “eco-friendly” and “recycled” can be greenwashing. Recycled polyester, bamboo rayon, and “natural” fibers often still carry toxic dyes and plastic-derived chemicals like BPA, which pose real risks when worn against the body.
What Toxic Chemicals Are Lurking in Fast Fashion?
Let’s get one thing straight. Your clothes aren’t just fabric, they’re chemistry. When it comes to fast fashion, especially from ultra-rapid brands like Shein, the chemistry is anything but clean.
Every performance feature you’ve been sold, such as stain resistance, anti-wrinkle, stretch, vivid color, and moisture-wicking, often comes with a price your body pays.
These are some of the worst offenders you’ll find in your closet.
PFAS: The “Forever Chemicals” in Your Workout Gear
Photo Source -> Duke University
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used to make clothes water-resistant, stain-repellent, and “breathable.” You’ll find them in activewear, leggings, even sports bras.
The problem? PFAS don’t break down, ever.
They're linked to cancer, thyroid disorders, reproductive issues, and immune system suppression. These chemicals accumulate in your body,and yes, your skin absorbs them.
Formaldehyde: That “Fresh From the Bag” Smell?
If a new shirt has that sharp, chemical scent, chances are you’re smelling formaldehyde. It’s added to keep fabrics wrinkle-free and mildew-resistant during shipping.
It’s also a known human carcinogen. It lingers, especially in humid conditions, slowly releasing into your skin.
Phthalates: The Hidden Hormone Hackers
Phthalates make plastics flexible and soft, which is why they show up in prints, faux leather, and plasticky-feeling fabrics. But they’re also endocrine disruptors,mucking up your body’s hormone balance and linked to breast cancer, infertility, and developmental issues in children.
Phthalates are so concerning that they’ve been banned in toys but not baby clothes.
Azo Dyes & Disperse Dyes: Toxic Color
That vibrant blue yoga pants or jet-black hoodie? It’s probably dyed with azo or disperse dyes. These are known skin sensitizers, meaning they can trigger rashes, eczema, and allergic reactions.
Some azo dyes break down into aromatic amines, compounds classified as carcinogens.
And here’s what most people don’t know.
These dyes don’t just sit on the fabric, they rub off, flake, and transfer into your skin.
Heavy Metals: Not Just in Water
Lead, cadmium, chromium, and antimony are still found in dyes, pigments, and leather tanning processes. These heavy metals have been linked to organ damage, neurological issues, and reproductive toxicity.
One Canadian study tested kids’ clothes from Shein and found lead levels 20 times the legal limit.
That’s not a fluke, it’s a feature of how cheaply and quickly these clothes are made.
BPA: Not Just in Water Bottles
We’ve all heard the warnings about BPA in plastic containers ,but what about your clothes?
Turns out, BPA has been found in polyester-spandex blends like sports bras and socks, sometimes at 19 times the allowable exposure limit.
Can These Chemicals Really Get Into My Body?
Yes, they can,and they do.
Your skin is permeable. Add sweat, friction, body heat, and hours of wear each day, and you’ve got a direct delivery system. In fact, certain compounds like benzothiazole have been shown in lab studies to penetrate skin within 24 hours.
That means what’s on you doesn’t stay on you, it becomes part of you.
Why Fast Fashion Is a Perfect Storm of Chemical Exposure
Fast fashion is a cutthroat business. It prioritizes production volume and affordability over all. Brands like Shein drop thousands of new styles daily; that’s not a typo. Sometimes, a garment goes from concept to consumer in under 10 days.
But here’s the problem.
When you move that fast, there’s no room for safety vetting, no pause for health testing, and certainly no consideration of the human body.
Those shorts you just clicked “Buy Now” on?
It’s likely made from synthetic materials like polyester, spandex, nylon, and fabrics that rely on chemical-heavy processing from start to finish. From softeners and dyes to flame retardants and anti-wrinkle agents, each “feature” adds another layer of toxicity.
And the supply chain? Often outsourced to countries with the least regulatory oversight. The less it costs to make, the more margin for the retailer.
Your health doesn’t make the spreadsheet.
“Sustainable” Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
Now, let’s talk about the buzzword of the decade: sustainable. If you’ve ever bought something labeled “eco,” “green,” or “made from recycled materials,” you probably felt good about it. And you should, your intention is in the right place.
But most of it is greenwashing: when companies use misleading environmental claims to seem more eco-friendly than they really are.
Take recycled polyester. It’s often made from used water bottles, a win for landfills, right?
But it still contains BPA and microplastics. Just because it’s repurposed plastic doesn’t mean it’s safe plastic, especially when worn against your skin during a workout.
Then there’s bamboo rayon.
Sounds natural. But in most cases, it’s made by soaking wood pulp in carbon disulfide and sodium hydroxide, chemicals that can harm workers, pollute water systems, and strip away any “natural” benefit.
Can Clothing Chemicals Really Enter My Body?
Your skin is your body’s largest organ, and while it’s designed to offer protection, it’s also highly absorbent, especially under the right (or wrong) conditions.
Now add sweat, heat, and movement into the mix ,like during a workout, a hot day, or even just a long commute, and the absorption rate accelerates. Friction breaks down the fabric’s chemical coatings. Warmth opens your pores. Sweat acts as a solvent, carrying those chemicals deeper.
That’s why activewear and underwear, your so-called “performance pieces” ,often carry the highest risk.
Bottom line? If it’s on you, it’s getting in you.
How is this even Legal?
We’re wondering the same thing…
If you’ve ever assumed that the clothes sold in American stores must be safe, after all, how could something toxic land on our shelves?, Well, this might make your stomach churn:
In the European Union, more than 1,500 chemicals are banned or heavily restricted in textiles that touch the skin. But the United States? Just 40.
Forty. Out of tens of thousands of synthetic compounds used in clothing today. I’ve spoken to dozens of people in the fashion and textiles industry in Europe, their jaw hits the floor whenever I tell them this.
A regulatory failure that leaves American consumers exposed to chemicals that other countries deemed too dangerous decades ago. And most people have no idea.
With all these regulatory failures, the responsibility to shop safely falls on the consumer.
How to Shop for Safer Clothing, Without Falling for Greenwashing
You might be wondering:
“Are there ANY brands I can trust?”
The fashion industry has mastered the art of saying all the right things while doing very little to protect your health. Terms like “eco-friendly,” “sustainable,” and “natural” are slapped on tags and websites with no regulation and no required proof.
That’s not education, it’s marketing. And worse, it’s dangerous.
If you’re serious about reducing chemical exposure in your clothing, here’s what to look for, and what to watch out for.
1. Look for Verified Certifications (Not Just Buzzwords)
The gold standards in chemical safety aren’t trendy. They’re technical.
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OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 tests every component of a garment,threads, buttons, labels,for over 100 harmful substances.
2. Avoid “Anti-odor,” “Stain-Resistant,” or “Wrinkle-Free” Claims
These features may sound helpful, but they’re red flags for chemical coatings.
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Anti-odor often means triclosan or silver nanoparticles, both of which mess with your microbiome and hormones.
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Stain-resistant usually means PFAS, a class of chemicals so persistent they’ve earned the nickname “forever chemicals.”
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Wrinkle-free finishes often include formaldehyde resins, a known carcinogen.
Why Vibrant Body Company Takes a Body-First™ Approach
I didn’t start Vibrant Body Company to create just another bra. Just another fashion line. It started after realizing that something so obvious was affecting the women in my life and worldwide.
Most bras on the market weren’t designed with women’s health in mind. They were built for appearance, trend, and profit, often with little to no regard for how they interact with the female body.
I remember visiting Germany and meeting two industry insiders, one, the most prolific bra inventor in the world, and the other, the head of production for a leading European lingerie brand.
When asked about breast health, the latter initially repeated the industry mantras.
Fashion, sex appeal, youth.
But then something broke open. He dropped his head into his hands and admitted through tears, “I’ve never made a bra for a woman. I don’t know who has.”
Certified Clean™ from the Inside Out
Every component used in Vibrant products, from fabric to thread, elastic to dye ,is OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certified at the most stringent level for intimate wear. This isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about exceeding industry standards to create apparel that’s truly safe to wear against the most sensitive parts of the body.
Unlike many brands that rely on vague “non-toxic” claims, Vibrant goes further by testing for over 100 known harmful substances, including:
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PFAS
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Formaldehyde
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Phthalates
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Heavy metals
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Carcinogenic dyes
We also maintain a policy of frequent re-testing and full transparency because trust is built on proof, not promises.
The clean clothing movement is just getting started. Shop now to join the revolution:
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EveryWear Bra – A Certified Clean™ wireless bra with patented construction that supports without wires and breathes with your body.
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Certified Clean Underwear – Ultra-soft, OEKO-TEX® certified underwear that feels like wearing nothing—because your First Layer™ should never be toxic.
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Build Your Clean Drawer – Not sure where to start? Take our quick quiz and get matched with the right Clean First Layer™ for your body.
About The Author: 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.
