Can PFAS from clothing and gear absorb through your skin when you sweat?
Yes. Sweat amplifies PFAS skin absorption from treated clothing and surfaces, increasing body burden with exercise and heat.
What's actually in it
PFAS are used to make clothing water-resistant and stain-proof. They're in outdoor gear, workout clothes, rain jackets, and even some everyday fabrics. When you wear these items, PFAS sit directly against your skin.
Most people assume chemicals can't absorb through intact skin. But skin permeability increases with heat, moisture, and sweat, which is exactly what happens during exercise.
What the research says
A 2025 study in Environment International measured PFAS skin absorption from treated clothing under dry conditions versus sweating conditions. The results were striking: sweat dramatically increased PFAS transfer from fabric to skin and into the body.
The mechanism involves sweat acting as a solvent that mobilizes PFAS from fabric surfaces and then carries them across the skin barrier into the bloodstream. Heat further increases skin permeability. A workout in PFAS-treated athletic wear resulted in measurably higher PFAS absorption than wearing the same clothing while sedentary.
The study found that PFAS from skin contact can contribute meaningfully to total body burden, adding to exposure from food and water. People who exercise regularly in PFAS-treated athletic wear, or wear PFAS-treated waterproof gear for extended periods, may be getting a significant additional dose through their skin.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Sweat-amplified dermal transfer and combined toxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances | Environment International | 2025 |
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