The Centre for Environmental Health (CEH) has found that humans could get exposed to BPA (Bisphenol A) 31 times higher than the threshold limit through our clothing. The latest test results showed higher levels of BPA in our clothing such as socks, sports bra, and athletic shirts.

BPA known as Bisphenol-A, is an industrial chemical used to produce strong polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Due to its structural bond, it is often used to make plastics clear and strong. So, during polyester manufacturing, BPA was added to increase the lifespan of fabric.

BPA is well known as Endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC). It mimics our hormones and causes disruption to the normal function of the endocrine systems. This disruption results in various negative health effects such as delayed growth and development, breast cancer, prostate cancer, slow metabolism etc.

BPA can be easily exposed to our body through the skin at normal room temperature. Since clothing is worn for hours, the predominant pathway of exposure is absorption through the skin.

Until now, CEH has sent legal notices to 100+ companies to remove all bisphenols from the manufacturing process of clothing and asked those companies to reformulate their products. As a consumer, we can avoid polyester-based clothes, especially the ones that are made with spandex.