What Every Consumer Should Know About BPA, PFAS and the Future of Sustainable Activewear
For many of us, activewear has become an everyday essential. Whether you're heading to the gym, walking the dog, working from home or simply running errands, leggings, sports bras and performance tops are now staples in modern wardrobes. We choose them for comfort, durability and performance—but recent legal action has raised an important question: could some of our favourite workout clothes contain chemicals we never expected to wear against our skin?
In recent years, several globally recognised sportswear brands, including Nike, Adidas, Athleta, Patagonia, ASICS, Brooks, Reebok, The North Face, FILA, New Balance, Alo Yoga and Victoria's Secret PINK, have been named in legal action brought by the California-based Center for Environmental Health (CEH). Following independent laboratory testing, CEH alleges that certain activewear products contained levels of Bisphenol A (BPA) that exceeded California's Proposition 65 warning threshold (Center for Environmental Health, 2023; Forbes, 2023).
The lawsuits relate to specific garments that were independently tested, not every product sold by these brands. Nevertheless, the cases have sparked a wider conversation about chemical safety, transparency in fashion manufacturing and how consumers can make healthier, more carbon-conscious purchasing decisions.
Why Are Major Sportswear Brands Being Sued?
The BPA Lawsuits Explained
The legal action centres on Bisphenol A (BPA), an industrial chemical that has been widely used for decades in plastics, resins and some textile manufacturing processes. BPA may be present in certain synthetic fabrics, dyes, prints or manufacturing finishes used in activewear.
According to the Center for Environmental Health, independent laboratory testing found that some sports bras, leggings, athletic shorts and performance tops sold by leading brands could expose wearers to BPA levels exceeding California's legal exposure threshold. Some products allegedly measured exposure levels up to 22 times, while later testing identified products measuring up to 40 times the level requiring a Proposition 65 warning (Center for Environmental Health, 2023; Forbes, 2023).
California's Proposition 65 is designed to ensure consumers are informed when products may expose them to chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or reproductive harm. Importantly, the law does not automatically mean products are unsafe; instead, it requires businesses to provide warnings or reduce chemical exposure where legal limits are exceeded.
The companies involved have not admitted wrongdoing simply because legal action has been filed. However, the lawsuits have intensified public scrutiny around chemical use in the fashion industry and increased calls for greater transparency from clothing manufacturers.
Beyond BPA: The Hidden Chemicals in Our Clothing
Why Toxic Textiles Matter
BPA is only one part of a much larger issue. Many synthetic performance fabrics are treated with chemicals that improve stretch, moisture management, wrinkle resistance or water repellency. Among the most concerning are PFAS, often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they persist in the environment for decades without breaking down.
Scientific research has linked exposure to certain PFAS compounds with a range of health concerns, including impacts on the immune system, cholesterol levels and hormone function, while BPA has long been recognised as an endocrine-disrupting chemical that may interfere with the body's natural hormones (World Health Organization, 2023; U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2024).
Although researchers continue to study exactly how much exposure occurs through clothing, many experts believe it is sensible to reduce unnecessary exposure wherever practical—particularly when garments are worn tightly against the skin during exercise, when increased heat and perspiration may influence chemical migration.
The issue isn't intended to create fear but rather encourage informed choices. Consumers increasingly expect to know not only where their clothes are made, but also what chemicals may have been used during production.
The Environmental Cost of Performance Fashion
The Impact Goes Beyond Our Wardrobes
The chemicals used in textile manufacturing don't simply disappear once clothing reaches shop shelves. They can enter waterways during production, contaminate ecosystems and affect communities living near textile manufacturing facilities.
At the same time, synthetic fibres such as polyester and nylon are produced using fossil fuels, making them significant contributors to the fashion industry's carbon emissions. Every wash of synthetic activewear can also release thousands of microscopic plastic fibres into rivers and oceans, contributing to the growing global microplastic pollution crisis (United Nations Environment Programme, 2023; International Union for Conservation of Nature, 2017).
This is why discussions about toxic chemicals naturally connect with sustainable fashion, ethical fashion and circular fashion. Reducing the environmental impact of clothing isn't just about lowering carbon emissions—it also means supporting cleaner manufacturing, safer chemistry and longer-lasting garments that stay in use rather than ending up in landfill.
Consumers have more influence than ever before. Every purchase sends a message about the type of fashion industry we want to support.
How to Choose Healthier, More Sustainable Activewear
Shopping Smarter Without Compromising Performance
Fortunately, consumers no longer have to choose between performance and sustainability. Many brands are investing in safer materials, recycled fibres and greater supply chain transparency.
When buying activewear, look for garments certified by standards such as OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100, bluesign®or the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), which help verify that textiles have been tested for harmful substances or produced using more responsible chemical management.
Where possible, consider brands committed to sustainable innovation, including: Pangaia, PE Nation, Girlfriend Collective and Colourful Standard. Many of these brands prioritise recycled materials, organic fibres, low-impact manufacturing and offer vegan product collections, making them excellent choices for consumers seeking healthier alternatives.
Equally important is buying fewer, better-quality garments and extending their lifespan through resale, repair and reuse. Choosing pre-loved activewear where appropriate reduces demand for new production, conserves valuable resources and supports a more carbon-conscious, circular economy.
Every step towards ethical fashion helps reduce waste while encouraging brands to invest in cleaner production methods.
A Healthier Future Starts With Better Choices
The legal action involving major sportswear brands has highlighted an issue that affects millions of consumers around the world. While the lawsuits concern specific products rather than entire product ranges, they have prompted important discussions about chemical transparency, textile safety and the environmental impact of the clothes we wear every day.
As awareness grows, consumers are becoming more empowered to ask questions, read labels, seek trusted certifications and support brands that place people and the planet alongside performance. The future of activewear is not simply about looking good or improving athletic performance—it is about creating clothing that is safer, more sustainable and better for everyone.
Choose Fashion That Works for You—and the Planet
At The Carbon Closet, we believe every purchase is an opportunity to support a healthier fashion industry. As a platform dedicated to sustainable fashion, circular fashion and carbon-conscious shopping, we make it easier to discover high-quality pre-loved clothing from brands committed to longevity and responsible design. By choosing pre-loved fashion, you're helping reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and extend the life of garments already in circulation—proving that the most sustainable outfit is often the one that already exists.
Shop from our website for more ethically made products and sign up to our newsletter to stay aware on more sustainable switches and ethical alternatives for your wardrobe.
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