• Fast-fashion company Shein recently reiterated its commitment to product safety following social media outcry over chemicals in the brand’s clothing.
• Experts told insider consumers that many fashion brands use toxic chemicals such as PFAS and phthalates.
• Consumers are at less risk of getting sick from these ingredients in their clothing than textile factory workers.

Shane has responded to claims that their clothing contains toxic chemicals, claiming they are committed to “product safety.”

“We test our products regularly and if non-compliance is found, we will take action, including terminating suppliers,” the fast fashion brand responded. Tweet.

A 2021 Shein study by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation found elevated levels of lead, phthalates, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) – chemicals associated with health problems. .

Experts told insiders that Shane is not a special case. Although these chemicals are used at relatively low levels, long-term exposure to toxic substances can increase your risk of serious health conditions such as asthma and kidney damage.

Alexandra McNair Quinn, a chemical sustainability consultant and founder of Fashion FWD, a nonprofit that educates consumers about toxic chemicals in clothing, told Insider: . “All these cumulative exposures on a normal day can be very harmful.”

Why chemicals are so pervasive in fashion

The use of chemicals such as PFAS and lead is “pretty common” in the fashion industry, said Marty Mulvihill, general partner at Safer Made, a venture capital fund that invests in companies that reduce exposure to harmful chemicals. says.

Yoga pants and gym leggings sold by Lululemon and Old Navy contained PFAS, according to a test conducted by consumer health activist blog Mamavation. Outdoor apparel brands Columbia, REI, and LL Bean received a D or F rating on his PFAS by Fashion FWD, a nonprofit that educates consumers about toxic chemicals in clothing.

(REI and LL Bean reiterated their commitment to product safety in statements to Insider. Columbia, Lululemon, Old Navy, and Shein did not respond to Insider’s requests for comment.)

A 2012 study of clothing samples from a popular retailer found phthalates in 31 garments and lead in baby bibs sold at Walmart and Babies R Us. Insider previously reported.

Manufacturers can add these chemicals to make them more waterproof, smudge-resistant, and soften screen-printing inks, Quinn said. Lead can be found in low-cost pigments and inks, zippers, and chromium can make leather more flexible.

Exposure to toxic chemicals builds up over time

Exposure to substances such as lead and phthalates can cause more direct harm to the people who make the clothing than to the consumer, and we are working with companies to limit our chemical footprint. said Scott Echols, Senior Director of the ZDHC Foundation, which is active in

Sustainable fashion analytics firm Common Objective estimates that 27 million people working in the global fashion supply chain may suffer from work-related illnesses and conditions, including skin and respiratory conditions. doing.

People who buy clothes, people who wear them are children, —People who put clothes directly into their mouths, — You may face increased risks from toxic chemicals. Chemicals can also enter the body through pores in the skin.

Plus, exposure to toxic chemicals builds up over time, Quinn said.

“PFAS don’t just disappear, they’re around for a very long time and are very harmful to the environment and human health,” Quinn said. “Governments need to develop a precautionary approach of not putting products on the market until they are proven safe.”

How To Find Chemicals In Your Clothing Like Lead, Flame Retardants And “Forever Chemicals”

Quinn told an insider that the toxic chemicals used to make the clothes include:

• chromiumIt is used in leather products that can weaken the immune system and lead to liver and kidney damage.
• Phthalic ester, used to soften ink in screen printing. Andrea Michelson of Insider reported that phthalates have been linked to premature death among American adults, especially from heart disease, and can disrupt hormones in the body.
• brominated flame retardantBanned in Europe, these chemicals can alter thyroid function and alter the way the body processes fats and carbohydrates. Researchers are investigating whether a link exists between exposure to flame retardants and ADHD, Insider previously reported.
• PFASChemicals, also known as “forever chemicals,” are laboratory-manufactured chemicals that do not degrade in the environment and have been linked to many health conditions, such as liver damage, asthma, and chronic kidney disease. According to Quinn, the substance is water-resistant and is found in waterproof or stain-resistant gear.
• leadIt is sometimes used as a low-cost pigment, or as a cheap metal in zippers.