Can PFAS from waterproof jackets and outdoor gear get absorbed through your skin?
PFAS coatings on water-resistant fabrics can transfer to your skin during wear, especially when you sweat. A 2026 study confirmed PFAS sitting on treated fabric surfaces at levels that suggest real skin exposure.
What's actually in it
Waterproof jackets, rain gear, and outdoor clothing are often treated with PFAS-based coatings to repel water and stains. These "forever chemicals" sit on the fabric surface and can rub off onto your skin. Sweating makes it worse because moisture helps the chemicals move from fabric to skin faster.
What the research says
A 2026 study in J Hazard Mater used surface sampling to measure PFAS on treated protective gear. Researchers found PFAS on fabric surfaces at levels high enough to cause real skin exposure during wear. Both new and used gear carried contamination.
Your skin isn't a perfect barrier. PFAS molecules are small enough to pass through, and sweat acts like a solvent that speeds up the process. Once absorbed, PFAS builds up in your blood and organs because your body can't break it down.
How to lower your exposure
Choose jackets labeled "PFAS-free" or "PFC-free". Brands like Patagonia, Nikwax, and others now offer water-resistant gear using wax-based or silicone-based coatings instead. If you already own PFAS-treated gear, wearing a base layer between your skin and the jacket helps reduce direct contact.
The research at a glance
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