Activewear and children’s school uniforms are under fresh scrutiny over concerns they may contain “forever chemicals” linked to serious long-term health risks.
The chemicals, known as PFAS, have been used for decades for everything from non-stick pans to waterproof jackets. But experts say many Australians still have no idea the same substances can also be found in leggings, sports bras, school uniforms and gym gear worn directly against the skin.
In 2025, independent senator Lidia Thorpe blasted the government for not taking action on regulating PFAS, telling a Senate enquiry into their usage that they are the “asbestos of the 21st century.” And while the average person doesn’t need to bin their wardrobe immediately, researchers say there are legitimate questions consumers should be asking — particularly as tighter activewear is worn during sweaty, high-friction workouts.
Dr Carol Tan is an Associate Professor and Program Manager of the Master of Fashion Entrepreneurship at RMIT University. She urged Australians not to “panic,” but not to “dismiss” the facts either.
“PFAS are called ‘forever chemicals’ because they don’t break down in the environment or in the human body, which means they can accumulate over time,” Dr Tan told Yahoo News Australia. “Research has linked long-term PFAS exposure to serious health concerns, including certain cancers, thyroid disruption, immune system impacts, and reproductive issues.”
What are PFAS?
PFAS — short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances — are often added to fabrics to create water-resistant, sweat-repellent and stain-proof finishes. Materials scientist Dr Saniyat Islam told Yahoo News that PFAS are “useful but not essential.” He said the chemicals can serve an important purpose in specialist clothing like firefighting gear or heavy-duty outdoor equipment.
But they’re often used for convenience rather than necessity. “In everyday performance activewear, the same chemistry is often used to deliver convenience features like easier care, stain resistance, or sweat repellence,” Dr Islam explained.
PFAS are not the same thing as synthetic fabrics themselves, meaning polyester or nylon clothing does not automatically contain the chemicals. “A polyester legging without a PFAS coating is a very different product from one that has been treated,” Dr Islam said.
Dr Tan said PFAS have already been found in a huge range of consumer products, including carpets, food packaging and personal care items, with the chemicals building up in the environment for decades. “[They are] extraordinarily common, and it goes well beyond activewear,” she said. “This is not just a fashion problem. It is a broader chemical system problem that fashion is part of.”
International investigations raise alarm bells
A Greenpeace investigation found PFAS in jackets sold by Shein recorded levels 3,300 times higher than European safety standards. Separate research in the US detected PFAS in every stain-resistant school uniform tested across nine major brands. Despite growing concern, equally large-scale independent testing has not yet been conducted in Australia.
“That does not mean there is no risk,” Dr Tan warned. “It means consumers here are being asked to trust claims without independent verification.”
Some major global brands have already begun phasing PFAS out of their clothing ranges. Companies, including Uniqlo, Patagonia, H&M and Levi’s, have all removed PFAS from large parts of their manufacturing. Newer PFAS-free waterproofing technologies are increasingly being adopted internationally.
Dr Tan said consumers should be cautious about vague sustainability marketing. “Brands making broad sustainability claims like ‘clean,’ ‘conscious,’ or ‘eco-friendly’ without independent third-party verification deserve scrutiny,” she said. Experts say labels backed by independent certifications such as OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 and bluesign are generally more trustworthy than self-declared “PFAS-free” claims.
Australia banned three specific PFAS chemicals in 2025
Australia banned three specific PFAS chemicals in 2025, but experts say that only scratches the surface, with more than 14,000 PFAS chemicals believed to exist globally. Unlike California and New York, Australia has not introduced bans on PFAS in apparel or school uniforms.
“It is mostly self-policed when it comes to clothing,” Dr Tan said. “The 2025 ban on three PFAS chemicals is a start, but it does not include mandatory testing or disclosure requirements for garments.”
One of the more concerning questions surrounds exercise itself
Dr Islam said the conditions created during workouts — including sweating, heat and friction — may increase the likelihood of chemicals leaching from fabrics and becoming available for absorption through the skin. “We are wearing these garments tight against the skin during the exact physiological conditions that may increase exposure,” he said.
Should I throw out my wardrobe?
Still, both experts said consumers should focus on making smarter future purchases rather than throwing away existing clothes. “The risk from existing clothing is not so acute that immediate disposal is necessary, and throwing garments away creates its own environmental costs,” Dr Tan said.
Instead, experts recommend paying closer attention to marketing claims around stain resistance, water repellence and wrinkle resistance. “Words like water-repellent, stain-resistant, or wrinkle-resistant often indicate chemical treatments,” he said. “Remember, it’s the coating applied to the fabric that matters, not the fabric itself.”
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