A new report reveals that state bans on PFAS in clothing and textiles have led to a significant reduction in the use of toxic "forever chemicals" in these products, marking a major public health victory and highlighting the effectiveness of protective policies.
Approximately 80% of the 115 tested products showed PFAS levels that comply with state laws. The products were purchased from online and physical retailers in New York and California, both of which are implementing bans on the intentional addition of PFAS.
The testing focused on products from companies previously known to use these chemicals. Items such as Columbia raincoats, Lululemon pants, and Moab shoes exhibited very low levels of PFAS markers.
Impact of State Legislation
Anna Reade, a report co-author and senior scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council, stated that the findings demonstrate the positive impact of strong laws. "It is really encouraging to see such a drastic change in such a short amount of time," she said. "These brands all switched, and no one has had to shut down business because they moved away from PFAS."
PFAS are a class of at least 16,000 compounds used to make products water-, stain-, and grease-resistant. They have been linked to cancer, birth defects, decreased immunity, high cholesterol, kidney disease, and other serious health issues. Known as "forever chemicals," they persist in the environment for thousands of years.
These chemicals are added to clothing as stain guards, odor barriers, UV protectants, and waterproofing agents, commonly found in boots, raincoats, and outdoor gear. Public health advocates have pressured companies to remove PFAS from supply chains, but many resisted, citing a lack of effective alternatives or high costs.
Industry Response and Compliance
Some producers voluntarily switched to alternatives, while others responded to market pressure from state laws. It is impractical for companies to produce PFAS-free clothing for sale in California and PFAS-containing clothing for other states, Reade noted.
New York and California passed their laws in 2022, leading companies like Levi's, LL Bean, Patagonia, and Old Navy to largely eliminate intentionally added PFAS by the end of 2024, just before the laws took effect on January 1, 2025. PFAS producer Gore-Tex now offers a PFAS-free alternative, though some of its products still contain the chemicals.
Most clothing is not entirely PFAS-free due to widespread use in supply chains. PFAS lubricants on machinery can leave residues on consumer goods. It is difficult to determine whether low PFAS levels are from intentional addition or unintentional contamination. Reade estimated that 70% of goods showed levels suggesting unintentional addition, while 10% fell into a gray area.
Enforcement and Future Steps
Companies producing diapers, outdoor furniture, and pet products accounted for most violations. Those exceeding limits may be reported to state attorneys general, and California will soon implement an enforcement mechanism.
"The market is moving – laggards must quickly move away from using PFAS and protect consumers, regardless of where they shop," Reade said.
