California’s PFAS regulation brings a reckoning for the fashion industry

The fashion industry is set to be affected by another round of regulations — this time, they’re centered on chemicals commonly used in clothing coatings.

PFAS, short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are man-made chemicals that have been used in various industries since the 1940s. There are over 12,000 types of PFAS, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. They’re sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and human body, where they can accumulate over time and cause issues linked to reproduction, allergies and cancer. Common in outdoor and performance wear, these chemicals help fabrics repel water and resist stains. 

However, their environmental and health impacts have sparked a shift among brands toward safer textile alternatives. Last January, period underwear brand Thinx settled a class action lawsuit for up to $5 million after a claim that PFAS were used in its underwear.

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