They have become essential in gyms, on the slopes or in our everyday drawers. Designed to support the effort, technical clothing promises comfort, lightness and resistance. However, behind this textile performance lies a less visible reality. Certain tissues harbor substances capable of disrupting hormonal functioning. The risk linked to endocrine disruptors in clothing is no longer a simple hypothesis, it is starting to be measured.
What lies behind the technical fibers we wear every day
Breathable, flexible, waterproof. Modern sports clothing multiplies the promises of performance. But their manufacture is often based on synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon or elastane, which owe their properties to the addition of specific chemical substances. However, some of these substances belong to a category of compounds whose effects on human health are now better documented: endocrine disruptors.
Certain molecules, such as phthalates, bisphenols or brominated flame retardants, imitate or block the body's natural signals and thus disrupt hormonal balance. By modifying this regulation, they promote the appearance of fertility disorders, thyroid dysfunctions, developmental anomalies in children or certain cancers. Contrary to popular belief, these substances are not only found in food plastics or cosmetics. The textile industry uses them massively, and our clothes are full of them.
According to BBC Science Focus, these compounds are widely present in technical synthetic fibers, where they are integrated to guarantee elasticity, resistance to perspiration and even anti-stain properties. However, the skin is not as impermeable a barrier as we imagine.
Exercise, heat, cosmetics: an ideal breeding ground for endocrine disruptors in clothing
The danger comes not only from the composition of the fabric, but also from its ability to release toxic substances upon contact with the skin. A study published in Environmental Science & Technology shows that certain plastics, such as those containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) or hexabromocyclododecane (HBCDD), release their chemical additives into the skin film (natural mixture of sweat and sebum), which the skin then absorbs.
The phenomenon amplifies under certain conditions. Physical activity, which increases sweating and body temperature, promotes the release of these compounds. Likewise, certain creams applied before sport (antiperspirants, foundations or sunscreens) modify the composition of the skin and can accentuate this absorption. The study demonstrates that the presence of cosmetics strongly influences the quantity of chemicals released, with variations depending on the molecules and formulations.
Another aggravating factor is the size of the particles released. The finer the microplastics or textile dust, the greater the contact surface they provide with the skin. Researchers have observed that microfibers from synthetic clothing release up to twice as many disruptive substances as coarser materials.
A still timid awareness of the long-term effects
In the scenarios simulated by the researchers, daily skin exposure to these disruptors can reach several tens of nanograms per kilogram of body weight in adults. In young children, more frequently in direct contact with the ground and textiles, exposure levels are up to ten times higher.
If these values remain below the thresholds set by the American Environmental Protection Agency, they are added to other routes of exposure (ingestion, inhalation) and concern molecules which, for some, accumulate in tissues over time. Among them, PFAS or “forever chemicals”, whose persistence in the body is already well known.
Faced with these findings, recommendations are beginning to emerge. Favoring natural fibers (organic cotton, untreated wool), avoiding textiles with antimicrobial or waterproof promises without clear certification, and identifying “phthalate-free” or “flame-retardant-free” labels become simple but useful actions. Labels like the European Ecolabel can also serve as reliable benchmarks.
This scientific alert does not call into question all technical clothing, but it sheds light on a blind spot in our textile consumption. The challenge now is no longer to deny this exposure, but to understand how to reduce it, by adapting our choices and our daily practices. The fibers of the future must be as respectful of the body as they are efficient on the ground.
With an unwavering passion for local news, Christopher leads our editorial team with integrity and dedication. With over 20 years’ experience, he is the backbone of Wouldsayso, ensuring that we stay true to our mission to inform.
