Here Are the Basics on BPA in Clothing

BPA, or bisphenol-A, is a chemical used in the production of many plastic items. People who have heard of BPA may recall the early-2010s controversy surrounding it after a study showed that more than 90% of test subjects had measurable levels of BPA in their urine. All of a sudden, a lot of people were concerned about BPA levels in everyday products—and rightly so.

Almost 15 years after that notable study, what is the consensus on BPA? Does a scientific consensus on BPA even exist? And what about BPA in clothing? We’ll cover all that and more below. 

What is BPA, and Why Should We Care?

BPA is a compound that has long been used in plastics manufacturing. It’s essentially used to harden plastic products. Much of the attention on BPA exposure has centered around its presence in canned foods and plastic bottles, but BPA exists in countless everyday items. 

It’s relatively common to find BPA concentrations in clothes that contain polyester spandex. More specifically, the Center for Environmental Health, a non-profit organization, detected potentially harmful levels of BPA in various socks and athletic wear, including sports bras.

For its part, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has conducted extensive studies on BPA. The conclusion? Humans are not at risk of ingesting or absorbing toxic levels of BPA from food containers and other common items. 

Health Concerns

Okay, so we know what BPA is now. What’s the big deal, and is BPA in clothing dangerous?

The concern for humans is that BPA mimics estrogen and other hormones. BPA can bind to hormone receptors in the body. Humans depend on the normal function of hormones to develop reproductive systems, grow to normal heights, have normal metabolisms, and more. Damage to hormone receptors has been linked to more than a few health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, infertility, and metabolic syndrome.

BPA has also been shown to be a bit more dangerous for fetuses, infants, and young children. Babies are simply unable to break down BPA as well as adults are. Exposure to excessive BPA as a young child can result in delayed puberty or prostate problems later in life.

Environmental Concerns

The good news is that BPA degrades rather quickly in the air and ground. Unfortunately, BPA can stick around for a long time in water—50 days or more, in some cases. Because millions of tons of plastic waste enter the ocean every year, the BPA problem can add up rather quickly.

How BPA Ends Up in Clothing

The most common way BPA ends up in clothing, according to the Center for Environmental Health (CEH), is during production. It’s commonly added to spandex-containing polyester clothes to purportedly lengthen garments’ life spans. Clothing tags may contain BPA within thermal-printed letters. BPA may also help ward off uncomfortable static.

Activewear is one type of clothing that may be more likely to contain BPA than other types. Sports bras and athletic shirts are of heightened concern because of their prolonged contact with the skin and sweat. Some sock makers have also been flagged by the CEH as using allegedly unsafe levels of BPA.

The Risks of BPA in Clothing

The risks of clothing containing BPA are essentially the same as the risks of BPA in food containers—it can enter your bloodstream and wreak havoc with hormone receptors. Instead of ingesting it, though, it can enter your body through prolonged contact with your skin.

Wearing a high-BPA clothing item once or a few times may not cause any harm. Over a long period, though, the chances of hormone damage increase.

How to Identify BPA-Free Clothing

Knowing whether or not a piece of clothing contains BPA is more difficult than it should be. You’re far from powerless, however.

Look for certifications.

Companies can sometimes obscure the facts about the presence of potentially harmful chemicals in their products. Certifications like OEKO-TEX and GOTS can provide a much clearer picture of a product’s chemical profile. Those two certifications, among others, are only bestowed upon companies and products that satisfy strict criteria.

Research materials.

If you can’t find any certifications attached to a product, consider what the product is made of. BPA is far less common in organic materials like bamboo, hemp, linen, and certified organic cotton. On the other hand, you’re more likely to encounter BPA in polyester clothes that contain spandex.

Ask brands about their practices.

You can always go straight to the source for BPA information. Many clothing companies have material and sourcing information on their websites. If you aren’t having luck with cursory research, it might be worthwhile to email or contact a company representative and simply ask.

BPA-Free Clothing Brands

We understand that time is a luxury and that you don’t have hours to scour the internet for BPA-free clothes or natural fiber clothing brands. To that end, we’ve done some research of our own.

Some of our favorite BPA-free clothing brands include:

• Boody: Underwear, sports bras, and loungewear
• MATE the Label: Underwear, activewear, tees, sweaters, and sleepwear
• Jungmaven: All types of clothing
• TomboyX: Underwear, bras, activewear, sleepwear
• Coyuchi: Sheets, bedding, pillows, loungewear

The Connection Between BPA and Fast Fashion

The primary purpose of BPA and plastics is, arguably, to create inexpensive products that are at least somewhat durable and accessible to the majority of people. BPA is a relatively cheap way to bolster the structural integrity of many products. Few industries rely on cheap manufacturing more than fast fashion. 

Brands that deal in fast fashion, such as SHEIN and Temu, may be more likely to include BPA and other potentially harmful chemicals in their products. The low price tag is tempting, but every clothing purchase is an investment in your future. Look around at secondhand stores if you are unable to purchase new, high-quality clothing.

Final Thoughts on Avoiding BPA in Clothing

You might have clicked on this article to figure out how to get rid of BPA in clothing. Doing so is an extremely tall order because so many items contain BPA. Still, when you get a few spare minutes, take a look through your wardrobe. 

Don’t be overwhelmed if you find multiple pieces of polyester clothes that contain spandex. Discerning consumers can always start small. Ridding your wardrobe of BPA can be a gradual process, and remember: don’t let perfection get in the way of progress.

Featured image via Canva