Synthetic Clothing And Your Health

Synthetic fibers are man made fibers made from non-renewable resources. Examples of synthetic fibers are polyester, rayon, acrylic, nylon, and spandex. These fibers are easier to produce in large quantities. They are also usually much cheaper to produce in large quantities which is why 70% of fast fashion clothing is made from synthetic fibers. Synthetic fibers are loved for things like activewear and swim suits because it is durable, widely available, usually at an affordable cost, flexible, moisture-wicking, water resistant and stain resistant. Most clothes anymore have a synthetic fiber blend if not completely synthetic fibers.

Synthetic fibers may make clothing more affordable and more accessible to people. They may even make your clothes wash better and stay unwrinkled easier. Synthetic fibers have a lot of additives added to them in the making process. They will have dyes, pigments for colors, flame retardants, water-repellents, and antimicrobials added to them. Clothing made from spandex, nylon, or polyester is made from plastics derived from petrochemicals. Additives to these synthetic materials can contain phthalates and bisphenols. When you sweat and wear these synthetic fibers that contain these plastics and added chemicals your skin absorbs the chemicals. This has been linked to different kinds of health conditions.

Dyes and pigments that are used to color your synthetic clothing can cause allergic reactions or dermatitis in sensitive individuals. They also may contain carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds. Flame retardants are toxic and known endocrine-disruptors, which are linked to causing cancer and reproductive issues. Water repellents are made from fluorochemicals. When fluorochemicals are broken down they degrade to PFAS or forever chemicals which are linked to hormone disruption, immune system impairment, and raising the risk of cancer. Antimicrobials are added to clothing to stop microbial growth and odors on the clothing. These antimicrobials can cause skin irritation.

The chemicals and finishing processes of synthetic clothing can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. People with sensitive skin or a pre-existing skin condition are at a higher risk of skin irritation from synthetic fibers. Symptoms can be redness, itching, and rashes. Respiratory issues can occur from the off gassing of VOCs this can happen when you get a new piece of clothing. Respiratory issues that can be caused by this off gassing are respiratory irritation, or exacerbating conditions like asthma. Flame retardants and water repellents are known endocrine disruptors. Long term exposure to these can cause reproductive issues, developmental disorders, and higher risk of cancer. Every time a synthetic clothing piece is washed it sheds microplastics. These microplastics then enter the water systems and then make their way eventually into the human food chain which can lead to cellular damage and inflammation.

Natural fibers are materials that are made from plants or animals. Examples of natural fibers are linen, cotton, wool, bamboo, hemp, and silk. The advantages of natural fibers are breathability, they allow airflow through the material and absorption, softness, durability; they are long lasting with the right care, hypoallergenic, and don’t accumulate static electricity. Natural fibers are also sustainable, meaning they come for renewable resources. Disadvantages of natural fibers are they wrinkle easier, pill, shrink, stain, mildew, can have moth damage, and the cost is usually much greater. Most of the disadvantages can be taken care of with proper care and washing of your clothing.

Synthetic clothing is becoming the normal in what clothing is made out of. It is cheap, easy to produce fast, and affordable to everyone. More studies are coming out about how these synthetic fibers may be causing health conditions to our overall health. Skin irritation, respiratory issues, reproduction issues, and higher risk of cancer are being linked to the chemicals and microplastics found in synthetic fibers. If you suspect synthetic fibers are making you sick, look for symptoms like skin irritation, sore throat, cough, headache, dizziness, and fatigue after being exposed or wearing synthetic fibers. If you suffer from an endocrine disorder you may want to steer clear of synthetic fibers since they contain endocrine disruptors. Conditions like diabetes, thyroid disorders, Addison’s disease, PCOS, or Cushing’s disease. Individuals with allergies or skin conditions may find that synthetic fibers bother them as well and may want to switch their clothing over to natural fibers.