Can kids' waterproof jackets and raincoats expose them to PFAS through their skin?
Yes. Sweat pulls PFAS and flame-retardant OPEs out of kids' waterproof clothing, and the mix is more toxic than either chemical alone.
What's actually in it
Waterproof kids' clothing, rain pants, ski bibs, and stain-resistant school uniforms are coated with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), the "forever chemicals" that don't break down. Many are also sprayed with organophosphate flame retardants (OPEs). Both are linked to hormone problems, liver damage, and lower vaccine response in kids.
Parents often assume fabric chemicals stay in the fabric. That's only true if the fabric stays dry and cool. Kids sweat a lot. Sweat changes the picture.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Sci Total Environ tested children's textiles using a sweat-like solution. Sweat pulled out more PFAS and OPEs than plain water, and the chemicals moved through a skin model into the blood compartment. When PFAS and OPEs were tested together, cell toxicity was higher than the sum of each one alone. That means real-world mixtures are worse than what single-chemical safety limits predict.
The worst offenders were waterproof rain gear, stain-resistant school pants, and "performance" kids' clothing. Plain cotton and untreated wool did not leach.
Kids absorb more per pound of body weight than adults. They also sweat through their clothes during play, which keeps the leaching going all day. Over a full school year, daily exposure adds up.
The research at a glance
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