Do synthetic textiles contain PFAS forever chemicals?

What's actually in it

Synthetic textiles and plastic-based materials are not just simple fabrics. They often contain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are chemicals used to make materials water-resistant or stain-proof. These are known as forever chemicals because they do not break down in the environment or your body.

When you wear or use synthetic items, you are not just handling fabric. You are handling a mix of materials that can shed microplastics. A 2026 study in Environ Pollut found that these plastic mixtures often contain both PFAS and bisphenols (chemicals that disrupt your hormones). These particles can get into your system through contact with your skin or by breathing in dust shed from your clothes and gear.

What the research says

The science is clear: these chemicals are harmful to your health. A 2026 study in Int J Mol Sci shows that PFAS put a heavy burden on your liver and can even break your mitochondria, which are the parts of your cells that create energy. These chemicals are moving faster than our current laws can regulate them.

Your skin is not a perfect shield. According to a 2026 study in Dermatologie (Heidelb), these forever chemicals interact directly with your skin. When you combine this with the findings from Environ Pollut, which show that PFAS-laden plastic mixtures trigger inflammatory responses in your immune cells, it becomes clear that synthetic textiles are a major source of toxic exposure in your daily life.