New testing has found high levels of the industrial chemical bisphenol A (BPA) across multiple sports bras and athletic clothing sold by a string of major companies, including Adidas and Nike, according to a watchdog group.
The Center for Environmental Health (CEH), a nonprofit organization working to protect children and families from harmful chemicals,
said on May 17 that it had found BPA in 14 brands of leggings sold by Athleta (owned by GAP), Champion, Kohl’s, Nike, and Patagonia as well as sports bras sold by Sweaty Betty.
The chemical was also found in athletic shirts from Fabletics and shorts from Adidas, Champion, and Nike, according to the watchdog.
Testing showed the clothing could expose individuals to up to 40 times the safe limit of the chemical BPA, according to California law, CEH
said.California law
states the maximum allowable dose level for BPA via dermal (skin) exposure is 3 micrograms per day.
BPA is an industrial chemical used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics used in everything from beverage containers to automobile parts and toys. According to the Environmental Working Group, BPA ranks in the
top two percent of high-production volume chemicals in the United States.
Individuals may be exposed to BPA at low levels comes from eating food or drinking water stored in containers that have BPA, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
BPA Health Implications
The chemical is classified as an Endocrine Disrupting Chemical (
EDC) because it can act as a xenoestrogen, a type of hormone that imitates estrogen, upsetting the body’s normal functioning and causing reproductive harm.
It has also been linked to breast cancer, prostate cancer, metabolic disorders, diabetes, and a number of other serious health issues as well as developmental issues in children and
asthma in school-age girls.A 2022
study linked direct transmission of bisphenol A through the placenta to negative effects on fetal brain development. However, experts say further research on the side effects of the chemical is needed.
California-based CEH is calling on companies to take the BPA out of their products in order to protect people’s health.
“Studies have shown that BPA can be absorbed through skin and end up in the bloodstream after handling receipt paper for seconds or a few minutes at a time. Sports bras and athletic shirts are worn for hours at a time, and you are meant to sweat in them, so it is concerning to be finding such high levels of BPA in our clothing,” Kaya Allan Sugerman, CEH’s illegal toxic threats program director, said in a
statement to CNN.
A spokesperson for Athleta said in a
statement to CNN Wednesday, “As a certified B-Corp, Athleta is deeply committed to ensuring all our products are made to applicable safety standards. We believe the CEH claims have no merit and stand by our products and practices.”
Watchdog Files Lawsuit
In October last year, CEH warned it had found dangerous levels of BPA in sports bras from Athleta, PINK (owned by Victoria’s Secret), Asics, The North Face, Brooks, All in Motion, Nike, and FILA.
It also found dangerous levels of the chemical in athletic shirts from The North Face, Brooks, Mizuno, Athleta, New Balance, and Reebok.
Testing conducted on the clothing showed that individual wearers could be exposed to 22 times the safe limit as permitted under California law.
The group sent out legal notices to the companies last year calling on them to reformulate their products to remove all bisphenols, including BPA, giving them 60 days to remedy the issue.
Other investigations by CEH have found BPA in polyester-based clothing with spandex, including
socks made for infants.
CEH said Wednesday that it has sent out legal notices to the additional companies whose leggings, shorts, sports bras, and athletic shirts tested positive for high levels of the chemical.
The Epoch Times has contacted the companies for comment.
A spokesperson for Adidas told The Epoch Times in an emailed statement that the company is reviewing the report.
“Safeguarding the health and safety of our consumers and protecting the environment is of paramount importance for us as a brand,” the spokesperson said. “Adidas is committed to following global best practices and complying with the strictest international safety requirements.”
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