Chemicals in clothing: concerns for skin and the environment

The idea that clothing may pose risks to human health or the environment can seem surprising. Look at the labels in your wardrobe: they usually list the fibre composition, but that does not describe every substance used in production. A closer look reveals the chemicals used to give clothing particular properties. What are these substances, and what effects can they have on skin and ecosystems? What are our commitments at Subli Sport ? Here is an overview.

Dangerous components for our health

Chemicals have been used in the textile industry for many years. They are used to treat garments and give them properties such as softness, colour, crease resistance or moisture management. But what about their potential toxicity?

Like food and hygiene products, clothing can contain components that are hazardous to health. Fabrics in prolonged contact with the skin can cause irritation and skin problems, and can even lead to cancer or infertility. In fact, every year in Europe there are between 50,000 and 200,000 cases of skin allergies, which is why the French Safety Agency has decreed a limit on the use, or even a ban on the use, of certain products deemed toxic.

It's a fact that the majority of textile articles are manufactured in Asian countries, where regulations on harmful products are laxer and controls non-existent.

The effects on our skin

Clothes are far from harmless. While the fabric itself poses no danger to the skin, the same cannot be said of the dyes and other additives used in the final design of the garment. In fact, certain substances considered toxic can cause more or less serious damage. They can trigger minor allergic reactions, just as they can lead to serious skin diseases. Similarly, some are likely to have carcinogenic effects and cause endocrine disruption.

What toxic substances are present in our clothes?

Studies carried out by Greenpeace have revealed what goes on behind the scenes in the textile industry. According to the NGO, two-thirds of the clothes we wear every day contain chemical substances that are hazardous to our health and the environment.

Among the most toxic are :

• Nonylphenols

Like phthalates, nonylphenols are known to be endocrine disruptors. They have a harmful effect on reproduction, fertility and growth, affect the nervous system and can cause eye, respiratory and skin irritation.

These substances are used in the textile industry as detergents, wetting agents, dispersants, emulsifiers, etc.

• Formaldehyde

The harmful effects of this substance, designed to give a crease-resistant effect to technical fabrics, are far from negligible. It can cause eye irritation, respiratory problems and, in the worst cases, lead to the development of cancer.

• Perfluorinated compounds

Used to make clothing more waterproof, perfluorinated compounds affect the proper functioning of the thyroid gland. Worse still, if a pregnant woman is exposed to these substances, the newborn can suffer from stunted growth and behavioural problems.

• Flame retardants

Considered to be endocrine disruptors, these flame-retardant chemicals also have undesirable effects on the nervous system. They can cause attention deficit disorder, behavioural problems, hyperactivity, and so on.

• Dyes

As well as releasing carcinogenic substances, dyes can cause serious skin reactions as well as liver and kidney damage. The most dangerous are azo dyes which, despite being banned in Europe, are still widely used because of their low cost.

Of course, these examples represent only a tiny part of the iceberg. And although the vast majority are banned by the European Union, this is not always the case in other parts of the world. Hence the importance of remaining vigilant.

Environmental effects

In addition to the harmful effects on our health, we cannot overlook the disastrous consequences of these chemical substances on our environment. Let's not forget that every time we wash our clothes, and even during the production process, a significant proportion of these compounds are released into the environment via waste water. Since they are rarely eliminated by wastewater treatment plants, they end up in nature, and more specifically in the aquatic environment.

The SubliSport Vision: Priority to Health and Ecology

At SubliSport, our customers’ health and environmental responsibility are central concerns. Here is our approach to product safety and durability:

• Oeko-Tex® certification: Our fabrics are Oeko-Tex® certified, a global trustmark since 1992, ensuring that our sportswear is free from harmful chemicals.
• Rigorous controls : Every stage in the processing of our fabrics is meticulously controlled according to international standards, guaranteeing the safety of our personalised sportswear for your skin and for the planet.
• PFC-free commitment : We ensure that all our technical products, particularly those with water-repellent treatments, are PFC-free, contributing to more environmentally-friendly production.

SubliSport aims to offer sportswear that combines performance, comfort and environmental responsibility. Discover our range and our approach to supporting sport with greater consideration for people and the environment.